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Pitman wrestlers continue dominating in offseason
Vasky Bros Wrestling
Twenty-one wrestlers from Vasky Bros Strength and Conditioning get ready to compete in the Reno Worlds wrestling tournament at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center (Photo contributed).

BY JESSIE CEJA

Special to the Journal

 

Vasky Bros Strength and Conditioning has been busy with their spring wrestling schedule, competing throughout the western region. Vasky Bros, which represents the three Pitman High wrestling coaches and brothers, Matthew, Cody and Adam Vasconcelos, is a youth wrestling program serving K-12 athletes, keeping them active and continuing to develop skills during school wrestling offseasons.

Most recently, athletes in the academy, most from Pitman High School, competed in the California USA Kids Greco, Cadet/Junior Boys and Girls Freestyle State Championships held at Selland Arena in Fresno from April 22 to 23. Over 1,600 wrestlers from throughout the state competed, 18 of them representing Vasky Bros Strength and Condition.

The following were their results: Elyjja Austin (2-2 Junior Boys 160 lbs.), Gaby Austin (7th place Junior Girls 132 lbs.), Yzabella Austin (2nd place Junior Girls 132 lbs.), Angelina Borelli (1st place Cadets Girls 100 lbs.), Brokton Borelli (4-2 Junior Boys 160 lbs.), Larry Borelli (4th place Junior Boys 170 lbs.), Jack Ceja (2nd place School Boy 110 lbs.), Troy Ceja (1st place Cadet Boys 285 lbs., 2nd place Junior Boys 285 lbs.),  Achilles Clarke (3-2 Junior Boys 220 lbs.), Ayden Cruz (2nd place Intermediate Boys 49-53 lbs.), Raul Gonzalez (2nd place Intermediate Boys 67 lbs.), Jermaih Mora (6th place Cadet Boys 182 lbs.), Mason Ontiveros (1st place Cadet Boys 170 lbs., 1st place Junior Boys 170 lbs.), Brayden Silva (5-2 Cadet Boys 145 lbs.), Wessyn Silva (5th place Intermediate Boys 67 lbs.), Landon Valenzuela (2nd place Intermediate Boys 84 lbs.),  Carter Vannest (4th place Cadet Boys 170 lbs., 7th place Junior Boys 170 lbs.), and Jermiah Young (1st place School Boy 130 lbs.). 

Earlier in the spring from March 31 to April 2, 21 Vasky Bros wrestlers competed in the Reno Worlds wrestling tournament at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Event Center.  Approximately 2800 wrestlers from throughout the country competed in the tournament, as is arguably the toughest youth wrestling tournament in the country. 

The Girls 15u team finished 1st overall and the Boys/Open 15u team finished 2nd overall.  The following wrestlers won championships at the tournament: Baya Austin (15u Girls-135 lbs. weight class), Gabby Austin (18u Girls 135 lbs.), and Mason Ontiveros (15u Open 175 lbs.). Mason competed in a bracket of 58 wrestlers. Placing 2nd were Angelina Borelli (15u Girls 98 lbs.), and Brockton Borelli (18u Open-160 lbs.) whose bracket included 5 state finalists.  3rd place finishers included Troy Ceja (15u Open 285 lbs.), Carter Vannest (15u Open 175 lbs.), and Jermiah Young (12u Open 120 lbs.). Achilles Clark finished 5th in the 18u Open 220 lbs. weight class. Additionally, Larry Borelli (18u Open 170 lbs.) and Elyjia Austin (18u Open 160 lbs.) each finished 6th.  Elyjia Austin beat a state champion from Nevada to earn his passage to the medal round. Rounding out the placers was Xadian Padilla (15u Open 145 lbs.) competing in a 78-person bracket. 

The following wrestlers also competed in the tournament: Ayden Cruz (8u Open 52 lbs.), Raul Gonzales (10u Open 64 lbs.), David Huerta (15u Open 124 lbs.), Lincoln Moniz (6u Open 55 lbs. weight class), Jeremiah Mora (15u Open 175 lbs. weight class), Mika Ontiveros (15u Open-135 lbs.), Cody Ruiz (18u Open 285 lbs.), Brantley Valenzuela (6u Open 52 lbs.) and Landon Valenzuela (10u Open 80 lbs.).