Grapplers on winning streak
Ramona High School grapplers finished Valley League action with five straight wins as they beat Westview and Oceanside High Schools. The Dawgs finished in second place in league with a 5-1 record.
Westview was a challenge on the road as the Dawgs had to come from behind to beat the Wolverines 38-31 before a large Senior Night crowd.
Westview came out strong and won the first two bouts. Isaiah Ilich lost a decision to A.J. Jesme in the 112-pound bout and Max Hughes lost a major decision to Mike Manuche at 119 pounds and the Dawgs trailed 0-7.
Connor Koch (125) got the Dawgs in the scoring column with a major decision over Andrew Dibble. Ray Lemon-Adams ( 130) received a forfeit victory and the Dawgs took a lead that they would not relinquish.
Spaso Ilich (135) scored a major decision over Anias Kane and the Dawgs led 14-7. Ricky Martinez lost a major decision to Mike Kemp in the 140 bout and it was close at 14-11.
Brodie Chenowth then put in the performance of the match as the junior dropped to 145 pounds and was losing late in the third period. Chenowth tied the bout in the final seconds and recorded a pin in sudden death overtime at 6:15 to give the Dawgs a 20-11 lead. Westview’s Brennan Watson, who lost to Chenowth, was then penalized a team point for poor sportsmanship, and the Dawgs led 20-10.
Robert Hill lost by fall to Justin Ottino and the Wolverines were one bout from taking the lead. Keelan Berg then put the match out of reach with a pin in 1:17 over Spencer Bigelow.
Westview then forfeited bouts to Devin Rhodes (171) and Colton Houlihan (189) to give Ramona a 38-16 lead with three bouts left in the match.
Andrew Lisowski (215) lost by fall to James Prutzuran. Marshal Thrasher wrestled up a weight class and was outweighed by 84 pounds by Adam Terry in the heavyweight bout. Thrasher lost by a 6-4 decision late in the third period. Jeff Hughes lost by fall in the final bout of the match to Joey Brennan.
Oceanside could not field an entire team and forfeited seven weight classes as Ramona won 58-10.
Only seven bouts were wrestled. Isaiah Ilich lost a major decision to Jamal Brewer in the 112 pound bout. Max Hughes (125) beat Alier Mejia by decision. Ricky Martinez pinned Diavonni Brewer in 3:41.
Keelan Berg posted a major decision over Christian Osuna in the 160-pound bout. Devin Rhodes pinned Connor Stotts in 3:20 in the 171 bout. Travis Houry lost by fall to Nacer Arabshahi at 215 pounds, and Justin Godes finished the night by beating T. J. Paulo by decision. Ramona beat the Pirates 22-10 in the bouts contested.
Now it is on to the postseason tournaments, where it is be good or be gone. The Dawgs hope to travel from the CIF Meet to the Masters and then the State Meet.