Bulldogs place third in 30-team tourney
The Ramona Bulldog wrestling team took third place at the prestigious San Clemente Wrestling Tournament that attracted 30 teams from Nevada, Arizona and California competed. Teams from Los Angeles, Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Diego Counties represented California.
“We are a very young team,” said Coach Steve Koch. “All but three of our wrestlers are eligible to wrestle in Frosh/soph and junior varsity tournaments. Our team had an outstanding effort. It was very tough competition and I am very proud of them.”
Connor Koch (105), Brian Orr (189) and Jared Widner (142) made it to the tournament finals and won silver medals for taking second place. All three wrestlers posted 4-1 records in the tourney.
Koch, a sophomore, beat the number two and three seeds enroute to the finals. He pinned two opponents and won by a technical fall with a 17-1 bout against the number two seed.
Widner was unseeded and beat the number one and four seeds. He was seeded lower than every wrestler that he wrestled.
Orr is ranked third in the CIFSDS.
Brett Germain (217) and Spaso Ilich (121) also posted 4-1 records. Germain and Ilich lost in the semi-finals and rallied to earn bronze medals for taking third place.
Waldo Saldivar (132) and Brodie Chenowth (147) earned medals for fourth place finishes. Logan Pierce (173) and Max Hughes (137) won fifth place medals.
Koch also had praise for the effort of Connor Martin.
“Connor went 2-2 in the tourney and was up against very tough competition,” said Koch. “He put forth a great effort and showed great improvement.”