Wrestling: Falcons post conference win over Rio Hondo

File Photo: 285-pound Randy Arriaga earned a win via pinfall against Rio Hondo
File Photo: 285-pound Randy Arriaga earned a win via pinfall against Rio Hondo

In their second Southwest Conference match, the Cerritos College wrestling team recorded a 37-10 win over host Rio Hondo College on Wednesday night. The win by the #2-ranked Falcons (7-0, 2-0) kept them undefeated in dual matches. They will travel to Palomar College on Saturday to compete in the Southern California Regional Duals and are looking for their fourth straight SoCal championship.

Earning big points for the Falcons were a couple of top-ranked wrestlers in their respective weight classifications. At 125 pounds, freshman Jonathan Prata (Downey HS) remained undefeated with his 17-1 technical fall over Adrian Guevara. After taking an 8-0 lead after the first period, Prata opened the second period with a takedown and four-point nearfall and after adding to his riding time, posted a takedown in the third period to end the match.

Not needing the entire match, sophomore 157-pound Larry Rodriguez (Downey Clavary Chapel HS) pinned Isaac Escareno in the first period, which earned Cerritos six team points. Sophomore 141-pound Stefano McKinney (Torrance HS) recorded a first period pin after opening up a 9-3 lead. As for freshman 285-pound Randy Arriaga (Capistrano Valley HS), he stuck Diego Sanchez in the first period and posted the pinfall to maintain his #3 ranking in the state.

Also winning on the night for the Falcons were sophomore Richard Gurule (Downey Calvary Chapel HS), who recorded a 17-2 technical fall over Ernesto Sotelo at 157 pounds, with freshman 174-pound Cobe Hatcher (Mayfair HS) shutting our Hugo Aspastilar, 7-0. At 184 pounds, freshman Bryan Samayoa (Long Beach Millikan HS) received a forfeit win. In the most competitive match of the night, Rio Hondo's Andy Voong registered a late third period takedown to come back to defeat freshman Hamzah Al-Saudi (Palisades HS) at 197 pounds.

125 Pounds - Jonathan Prata (CERR) def. Adrian Guevara (RHC), 17-1
133 Pounds - Kahlil Tucker (RHC) def. Jose Lozano (CERR), 12-1
141 Pounds - Stefano McKinney (CERR) pinned Jesus Langarica (RHC)
149 Pounds - Christian Espinoza (RHC) def. Isaiah Mora (CERR), 12-8
157 Pounds - Richard Gurule (CERR) def. Ernesto Sotelo (RHC), 17-2
165 Pounds - Larry Rodriguez (CERR) pinned Isaac Escareno (RHC)
174 Pounds - Cobe Hatcher (CERR) def. Hugo Apastilar (RHC), 7-0
184 Pounds - Bryan Samayoa (CERR) win by forfeit
197 Pounds - Andy Voong (RHC) def. Hamzah Al-Saudi (CERR), 10-7
285 Pounds - Randy Arriaga (CERR) pinned Diego Sanchez (RHC)