Ramona’s varsity wrestlers beat Helix 42-29

By Nancy Sapper

The silver lining to Helix’s football team continuing on to the CIF championships on Dec. 6, and Ramona’s football season abruptly ending, is that Helix’s wrestling team is missing a few members that are still playing football.

The absence of these players caused Helix to default two weight classes when they couldn’t afford to, and ultimately lose the match Dec. 4.

Bulldog football players Raul Briseno, Dallas Domnitz, Leo Duron, Trevor Johnson, and EJ Schmidt joined the wrestling team, already in progress, once Helix ended the Bulldog’s playoff dreams. They and their fellow wrestlers were ready to face the Highlanders once again.

The evening started with the 106 weight class. Freshman Cade Erautt was pinned and the score was 0-6 Helix.

A string of wins by Jordan Castro, Devon Parsons and Logan White kept Ramona in the match, but the team was looking at a 15-29 deficit going into Troy Jordan’s 170-pound bout.

Jordan, one of a trio of captains this year, pinned his opponent and pulled the score to 21-29.

Next to wrestle was senior Brian Fonseca in the 182 weight class. He fought hard and was able to pin his opponent, bringing the Bulldogs

within 2 points of the Highlanders. This was the momentum turning point in the match.

Captain Austin Koch was exactly who the Dawgs needed in the next bout of the night. Wrestling at 195, he won on points and Ramona had its first lead of the match 30-29.

Captain Raul Briseno took to the mat for his 220 weight class and Helix had no opponent; Briseno wins by default and the score is 36-29 Ramona.

Leo Duron stepped onto the mat for his heavyweight match-up, but once again Helix had to default. The final score: Ramona 42, Helix 29.

Although many of Ramona’s wrestlers, who also play football, would’ve liked to continue further in the CIF football playoffs, winning this match-up against the school that knocked them out of CIF contention felt pretty good.