September 23, 2017

Panthers finish 4th at the West Hills Tournament as Abel Garcia is the individual champ at 174 lbs.

SCC Entered their 2nd tournament of the year, the always tough West Hills Tournament in Lemoore.

This young group of Panthers is trying to claw their way up, as teams with more experience are getting many points. SCC had 5 wrestlers garner top 5 medals on their way to a 4^th place team finish. Fresno City won the tournament, with Cerritos finishing a very close 2^nd, Mt. San Antonio 3^rd and Sacramento City in 4^th.

SCC had two wrestlers get to the finals. They were Abel Garcia (FR – 174 / Oakdale HS) and Morgan Sauseda (SOPH-125 / Chico HS). Both took 2^ndlast week, but Abel Garcia was able to turn the tables and get the Championship while Morgan Sauseda once again settled for 2^nd place.

Abel Garcia was seeded 4^th and started the day with a bye. He pinned Ruelas of Santa Rosa before getting a 4-0 win over Ruiz of Fresno to reach the semifinal match. In that match, Abel Garcia got off to an early lead, then pinned #1 seed John Robles of Cerritos. In the finals, he met Anthony Cress of Chabot. Cress defeated Abel Garcia in OT in last week's final. This time the tide would change. On a nice double leg TD, escape and riding time, Abel Garcia won 4-2 and take home the gold.

Morgan Sauseda had another outstanding day, finishing 2^nd to #1 seed Betancort of Fresno. That is the second time in 2 weeks these two have finished in the finals match. Morgan Sauseda was on fire during the day, scoring a tech fall, a major and 2 falls to reach the finals. In the semi's, he defeated teammate Enrique Zavala.

Finishing in 3^rd place was Carlos Alvarez (SOPH-149 / Folsom HS). Alvarez had a fantastic day, other than losing in the semi to #2 seed Joseph Dominguez of Mt. SAC. Carlos Alvarez was seeded #3 and pinned two of his early opponents as well as got a major decision to reach the semi. After falling in the semi, Carlos Alvarez put the pedal to the metal again, getting a tech fall in one period and finishing with another fall to secure the bronze medal.

Two other SCC Freshmen took charge to garner 5^th place finished. Robert Seronio (FR-141 / American Canyon) was seeded #5 and took that seed to the 5^th place match. Robert Seronio had a bye and then lost his first match. He won 3 in a row in consolations including a 4-0 win over teammate Salvatore Pochiero, the #3 seed. After losing in the conso semi, Robert Seronio decisioned Jeremy Newman of Sierra for his 4^th win of the day and 5^th place.

Enrique Zavala (FR-125 / Alisal HS) came in as the #6 seed after dropping down from 133 a week ago. After a bye, he won his next two matches, one by fall and one over #3 seed Gomez of West Hills. He met teammate, Morgan Sauseda in the semi's and lost. He lost again to Owens of Cerritos in consolations. That sent him into the 5^th place match. He fell behind 6-0 to start the match…but he kept chipping away. With about 8 seconds left he scored a TD and 2 NF to tie the match, then scored a TD in OT to win the match 17-15. Zavala is a scoring machine when he gets it rolling.

Other wrestlers who got in the win column were: Brandon Gonzales (FR-125 / Sacramento HS); Salvatore Pochiero (SOPH-141 / Salinas); Omari Batts (SOPH-149 / Bethel HS); Jason Stokkeland (SOPH-149 / Calaveras HS); Hunter LaRue (FR-157 / Napa HS); Dylan Crawford (FR-157 / Lodi HS); Erick Pelayo-Moreno (SOPH-157 / Lower Lake HS); Brian Horn (FR-174 / Rocklin HS); Isaac Sillas (FR-184 / Yuba City HS); Isaac Bertolotto (FR-184 / Turlock HS); Anthony Ceja (FR-285 / Winters HS) and Beau Medicine Crow (FR-285 / Grant HS).