Varsity wrestlers fall to Vista 35-12

By Nancy Sapper

The Ramona High School varsity wrestling team lost to the Vista Panthers before a large home crowd.

Despite several gutsy matches on Dec. 11, the Bulldogs could not get the win against a talented Panther squad.

Freshman Cade Erautt started the meet off with 6 points for the Bulldogs as he was unopposed in the 106-lb. weight class. Next to wrestle were junior Devon Parsons and sophomores Jordan Castro and William Blackwood, who each lost their bouts.

Down 6-14, Bulldog junior Logan White stepped onto the mat. White battled Vista’s Lopez through all three periods and finally got the pin late in the final moments of the third in an emotional victory that brought the Bulldogs close, 12-14.

Losses by Chase Martin and Jimmy Bush, who were both pinned, gave Vista a larger lead at 12-26.

Next up was junior Cameron Hakula, who took his opponent deep into the third period. Hakula fought hard, leaving everything on the mat, but lost on points (7-10) and the Vista lead increased to 12-29.

EJ Schmidt, wrestling at 160 lbs., battled, but was pinned in his match.

Troy Jordan made quick work of his opponent, pinning him with 30 seconds remaining in the first period and cutting the Panther’s lead to 18-35.

Brian Fonseca took his 182-lb. opponent into the second period but was pinned with only 12 seconds remaining in the period, and Austin Koch lost on points in the third, which brought the team scores to 18-35 Vista.

Raul Briseno dominated his opponent by pinning him with 7.7 seconds remaining in the first period.

Leo Duron, who was once hesitant as a freshman wrestler, has blossomed into a fierce competitor on the mat. He would not take defeat and pinned his opponent with 5.8 seconds left in the meet to finish the night on a high note.

The team has competed in the El Dorado and La Costa Canyon tournaments over the past two weekends.

Jordan dominated the field and was crowned Champion of both events in the 170-lb. class.

Briseno took second at 220 lbs. at El Dorado and was Champion of the 195-lb. weight class in the La Costa tournament.

In the 2014 Hamada Classic Tournament held at La Costa Canyon High School, the Bulldogs took eighth place from a field of 47 schools.

The team’s next match will be Jan. 3, when they will compete in the Mission Hills Invitational at Mission Hills High School. They return home to the Dawg House on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. versus Oceanside.