The Cerritos College wrestling team dropped to 0-2 in the Southwest Conference after a 23-8 loss to host Santa Ana College on Thursday. The Falcons, who left for Reno, NV after the match to compete in the Lassen Tournament, dropped three of the matches against the Dons by two points or less.

After freshman Gabe Ballesteros (Mesa, AZ HS) recorded a solid 10-4 win over Brandon Brown at 125 pounds, Cerritos was defeated at 133 pounds, but sophomore Joshua Ewing (Mesa, AZ HS) rebounded for an exciting 13-11 overtime win at 141 pounds against Cesar Catalan. Santa Ana won the next five weight classifications to put the match out of reach, with freshman Dylan Clarke (Burnt Hills, NY HS) coming up short in a 7-5 decision at 165 pounds and sophomore Kyle Pivovaroff (West Torrance HS) losing a 6-5 decision at 184 pounds against Juan Hernandez.

Freshman Tyler Smith (Marina HS) snapped the losing skid with a 3-2 defensive match at 197 pounds against David Flores, with sophomore 285-pound Weston Hawkins (Edison HS) in another defensive match, but came up short in a 2-1 score.

Photo by Daryl Peterson