The Cerritos College wrestling team recorded three wins by pinfall to help defeat visiting East Los Angeles College, 34-14 in a non-conference match on Thursday. The Falcons, ranked #1 in the state, will host the Cerritos Open this Saturday.
In the first two matches of the night, the Falcons earned two of their pins. At 125 pounds, freshman Francisco Noyola (Gahr HS) was trailing, 7-6 against Kevin Valdez, but got Valdez on his back in the second period and posted the win in 4:06. It was just the opposite for top-ranked Dustin Kirk (Elisnore HS), who needed only 1:12 to finish off Johnny Robles. The win kept Kirk undefeated on the season. The third pin came at 174 pounds with sophomore Dylan Clarke (Burnt Hills, NY HS) getting Juan Soto on his back a minute into the match and earned the pin in 2:02.
Sophomore Eric Ambriz (Temescal Canyon HS) opened up a 6-2 lead after the first period against Jonathan Mandujano and then continued to earn takedowns and allow the escape. By the end of the match, Ambriz had a 16-6 win. It was a similar scenario for freshman Kevin James (Redondo HS) at 157 pounds, who had a takedown and near-fall to end the first period with a 7-1 lead. It was 10-2 after the second period, with James stockpiling points in the third period to finish with an 18-5 win.
The Falcons earned an major decision at 184 pounds, as sophomore Max Kumashiro (Los Alamitos HS) posted a 22-7 win, as the match was ended early. Kumashiro posted six takedowns through the first two periods and then racked up a takedown/near-fall combination to get within striking distance of a major decision. A pair of takedowns finished off the match. The night ended with freshman Jesse Gomez (Buena Park HS) defeating Maury Lemons, 6-1, with the only takedown coming at the buzzer. Lemons was penalized for three stalling points.
125 Pounds - Francisco Noyola (CERR) pinned Kevin Valdez (ELAC), 4:06
133 Pounds - Dustin Kirk (CERR) pinned Johnny Robles (ELAC), 1:12
141 Pounds - Daniel Martinez (ELAC) def. Jesse Mastron (CERR), 14-1
149 Pounds - Eric Ambriz (CERR) def. Jonathan Mandujano (ELAC), 16-6
157 Pounds - Kevin James (CERR), def. Joseph Aguila (ELAC), 18-5
165 Pounds - Joseph Magdaleno (ELAC) def. Ruben Avila (CERR), 14-6
174 Pounds - Dylan Clarke (CERR) pinned Juan Soto (ELAC), 2:02
184 Pounds - Max Kumashiro maj. decision Jorge Guerrero (ELAC), 22-7
197 Pounds - Ben Cuellar (ELAC) win by forfeit
285 Pounds - Jesse Gomez (CERR) def. Maury Lemons (ELAC), 6-1
Photos by Daryl Peterson
