With their 24-19 win over visiting Mt. San Antonio College on Wednesday, the Cerritos College wrestling team completed their Southwest Conference schedule with a 4-0 record. The Falcons (10-0), ranked #2 in the state, will travel to Fresno City College this weekend for the Bill Musick Open.
125 Pounds - Zachary Cunningham (MSAC) win by default
133 Pounds - Andres Gonzalez (CERR) def. Nathan Barragan (MSAC), 7-2
After spotting Barragan an early 2-0 lead, Andres Gonzalez (Capistrano Valley HS) scored an escape point and reversal before the end of the first period. He continued to shut out Barragan the remainder of the match by recording an escape point and then reversal in the second period, while he spent the third period adding to his riding time for the win.
141 Pounds - Aaron Diaz (MSAC) def. Nick Camacho (CERR), 4-3
Ranked #2 in the state, Nick Camacho (Paramount HS) had his hands full against #5 ranked Aaron Diaz. In the first period, Camacho took a 2-0 lead with a takedown, but saw Diaz record an escape before the end of the first period and again in the second period. With just :29 seconds left in the period, Diaz got Camacho down for a takedown and then held him off in the third period after a Camacho escape point.
149 Pounds - Joshua Brown (CERR) def. Adam Valdez (MSAC), 4-2
Taking on the top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds, Joshua Brown (Esperanza HS) pulled off a big win for the Falcons. Brown, who's ranked #1 at 141 pounds, scored a last-second takedown in the first period and then a crucial reversal in the second period for a 4-0 lead. Valdez picked up a pair of escape points, but could not solve Brown, who held on for the win.
157 Pounds - Larry Rodriguez (CERR) pinned Miguel Gallardo (MSAC), 6:08
Locked in a tight 1-1 match with time running out in the third period, unranked Larry Rodriguez (Santa Ana Calvary Chapel HS) scored a huge six team points for Cerritos with his pin over #6 ranked Miguel Gallardo. But wrestlers fought to get position as the match progressed, until Rodriguez worked the perimeter of the match and got Gallardo on his before before securing the pin.
165 Pounds - Nick Dozier (CERR) pinned Jordan Rabadi (MSAC), 1:55
Securing another six team points for the Falcons in their win, Nick Dozier (Irvine HS) got quick pin on Jordan Rabadi and with just under two minutes left in the first period, he secured both shoulders to the mat for the pin.
174 Pounds - Zack Gonzalez (CERR) def. Melo Ayoub (MSAC), 7-4
Trailing, 3-1 late in the second period, Zack Gonzalez (Lakewood HS) started his comeback on a takedown with only :30 seconds left in the second period. Using his endurance, Gonzalez took the lead with a third period escape and extended that advantage on a takedown with 1:11 left in the match.
184 Pounds - Jarrod Nunez (CERR) def. Colby Huynh (MSAC), 7-2
The Falcons secured the team win when Jarrod Nunez (Mayfair HS) picked up the impressive win. Nunez scored both a takedown and two-point near fall in the final minute of the first period and followed that with an escape and buzzer-beating takedown for a 7-0 lead at the end of the second period.
197 Pounds - Luis Garcia MSAC) pinned Deniss Hernandes (CERR), 6:47
With the match coming to a close, Deniss Hernandes (Beaumont HS) was trying to fight back from an 8-2 deficit. However, in his effort to work into better position, he was put on his back and pinned with just :13 seconds left on the clock.
285 Pounds - Cristian Ayala (MSAC) def. Randy Gonzalez (CERR), 10-0
Facing the top-ranked wrestler in his weight classification, Randy Gonzalez (Lakewood HS) was in a scoreless match until Cristian Ayala got him off his feet for a takedown and four-point near fall at the buzzer to end the first period. Gonzalez was unable to generate any type of advantge and was shut out in the final match of the night.
Photos by Darryl Peterson
