In their Southwest Conference opener on Wednesday night, the Cerritos College wrestling team posted a 25-18 win over Rio Hondo College. On Saturday, the Falcons will host the Southern California Regional Duals and will be looking for their fifth straight championship.
The night started slow for Cerritos, as they lost the first two weights and found themselves trailing, 9-0 in the team score. The comeback started at 141 pounds when freshman Kimo Servino (Carson HS), ranked #2 in the state, recorded a major decision over Victor Atherton, who dropped down from 125 pounds. Servino took a 6-0 lead after the first period, thanks to a four-point near-fall, and padded his lead to 8-0 after the second period. Although he was unable to end the match with a pin, Servino went on to score the convincing win.
In the most exciting match of the night, 149-pound Felix Osorio (Santa Fe HS) came away with a 13-12 win over Donovan Sanin, who came into the night ranked #2 in the state. Osorio, the #4-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds, trailed, 7-2 after the first period and 9-5 heading into the all-important third period. Down, 12-10 in the final seconds after an escape, Osorio recorded a takedown with :04 seconds remaining and secured the win with a riding time point.
Cerritos took the team scoring lead when freshman Caoilte Drury (Westminster HS) pinned Adrian Rios in 4:33 at 157 pounds. Leading 6-0 early in the second period after a takedown, Drury finished off the match with his pin and the Falcons were on their way to a win. The Falcons extended their team lead to 19-9 when the Roadrunners forfeited at 165 pounds. It was a 22-12 team lead after the 184-pound match, as Joseph Rodriguez (Paramount HS) posted a 9-5 win. Leading by one point after the first and second period, Rodriguez was able to secure a takedown to start the third period and maintained riding time against Toni Incantalupo for the victory.
Rio Hondo did make things interesting after Richard Cardona pinned freshman Justin Sawai (North HS), but then needed to record a major decision against #1-ranked 285-pound Jonovan Smith (Birmingham Charter HS) in the final match. Smith controlled Emmitt Mercado from the outset and held a 4-1 lead after two periods en route to a 9-4 decision.
125 Pounds - Alexis Tellez (RHC) pinned Evan McShane (CERR), 4:05
133 Pounds - Luis Perez (RHC) def. Josh Mendoza (CERR), 5-4
141 Pounds - Kimo Servino major decision Victor Atherton (RHC), 11-1
149 Pounds - Felix Osorio (CERR) def. Donovan Sanin (RHC), 13-12
157 Pounds - Caoilte Drury (CERR) pinned Adrian Rios (RHC), 4:33
165 Pounds - Vincent Perez (CERR) win by forfeit
174 Pounds - Lorenzo Willegas (RHC) def. Cobe Hatcher (CERR), 10-7
184 Pounds - Joseph Rodriguez (CERR) def. Toni Incantalupo (RHC), 9-5
197 Pounds - Ricardo Cardona (RHC) pinned Justin Sawai (CERR), 3:55
285 Pounds - Jonovan Smith (CERR) def. Emmitt Mercado (RHC), 9-4
Photos by Daryl Peterson
