Competing in the Bill Musick Open at Fresno City College on Saturday, the Cerritos College wrestling team had one individual champion. The team will take a week off before competing in the East Los Angeles Brawl on November 23.
Ranked #2 in the state at 133 pounds, sophomore Andres Gonzales (Capistrano Valley HS) defeated four opponents to win the title. He opened with a 10-2 major decision over Jason Valenzia of Embry Riddle University and followed that with a close 7-6 victory over Cole Kachmar of Sacramento City. In the semifinals, Gonzales pinned Jacob Hiller of Sacramento City and then defeated the #1-seed in the tournament, Destin Summers of Fresno State University by a 6-5 score.
Wrestling back at 125 pounds, freshman Jose Lozano (North Torrance HS) was defeated, 11-0 in his first match and went on to win five straight matches before suffering a fall against Josh Nira of Embry Riddle. Earning a fifth place finish at 141 pounds, sophomore Stefano McKinney (Torrance HS) posted a win in his first match and was then defeated. In the consolation bracket, McKinney recorded a pin and then a 9-7 win over Tony Perez of Fresno City College. He was then defeated, 18-8 before ending his day with a win in the fifth place match.
Freshman 149-pound V'ante Moore (Lawndale HS) received a bye in the first round before a 4-0 win over Simpson College's Patrick Garcia advanced him to the semifinals. Moore, who is ranked #6 in the state, was then defeated by #1-ranked Chris Gaxiola of Fresno City, 5-2. He then lost a wild 16-12 decision against Logan Garcia of Lassen College but capped the tournament with a win in the fifth place match.
At 184 pounds, freshman Angel Verduzco (El Dorado HS) went 4-2 on the day to come in fifth place, which included an 11-0 major decision in the fifth place match. He also had a 13-0 major decision in his first match, while also recording a 15-0 technical fall over Aiden Elko of Sacramento City. Verduzco also pinned Menlo College's Oscar Diaz in the consolation rounds.
Photos courtesy of John Sachs/TechFall.com
