PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Continuing a good day for Vanguard wrestling, the men's team also took to the mat in Arizona against three schools. VU first challenged New Mexico Highlands and then Simpson to start the Friday dual lineup. The Lions had a good bout with the Cowboys but walked away with a 29-17 victory. The squad then put Simpson away with ease 43-3, sending the Blue and Gold into the individual event tomorrow with a 2-0 dual record to open the year.
What Happened?
VU 29 NMH 17
The first matchup saw the Cowboys and the Lions square off and things did not begin well for VU. Rhys Sellers pinned Dominic De'Altonaga (SO/Poway, CA) at 125-pounds to give NMH a 6-0 lead. Yet things soon turned around, as Julian Leon (FR/Fontana, CA) ran out for the 133-pound matchup against Brendon Olsen. Leon made the only takedowns of the encounter to put Vanguard on the board with three points from his 6-1 decision victory. The Blue and Gold then had Steven Kroesen (JR/Laguna Hills, CA) face Naithan Gurule at 141-pounds and Kroesen was in command the entire time, netting an 18-3 technical fall victory late in the dual. That put the Lions ahead 8-6 and Gabriel Cortez (JR/Covina, CA) was able to increase the lead in the 149-pound matchup. Facing Deklyn Miller, Cortez was able to make a couple of takedowns to win 6-1, pushing the Lion advantage to 11-6. However, back came the Cowboys, as Evan Killgore pinned Joey Navarro (FR/Holtsville, CA) at 157-pounds to level to dual at 12-12.
Omar Rosas (SO/El Centro, CA) was up next at 165-pounds and he swooped in for all six points by pinning Colin Brown in the third period. Up 18-12, Gerardo Hernandez (SR/Mission Viejo, CA) took on Luke Allen in the closest match between the two programs. The score was even for a time, but Hernandez made a couple of extra takedowns to earn a 9-4 decision win. Baron Gaunt (SO/Torrance, CA) was up next for the 184-pound bout and even though he could not earn maximum points, Gaunt was able to control the fray and net an 8-2 decision victory. That put VU ahead 23-11, but the Cowboys had one final win in them, as Zachary Ferris defeated Isaiah Hernandez (SO/Selma, CA) 19-4 to make the score 23-17. However, that was the final actual fight between the two, as Mike Ruiz (SO/Orange, CA) ran out and grabbed six points as the Cowboys were open at the heavyweight class, giving Vanguard the 29-17 victory.
VU 43 Simpson 3
After a decently close dual, VU made a route of Simpson in quick order. Zach Stone (FR/Yorba Linda, CA) ran up a 15-0 technical fall victory over Nicholas Stringer to open the meeting at 125-pounds. Leon then took a full six points as the Red Hawks were open at 133-pounds. Kroesen was soon back on the mat and he twisted Elian Murrillo around for an 18-0 technical fall victory at 141-pounds.
Despite the first few slated meetings were one-sided, the next few were a lot closer. The first featured Michael Leininger (JR/Rancho Bernardo, CA) against Tomas Jacob at 149-pounds and both wrestlers were evenly matched. The duo made a couple of takedowns and escapes but neither could hold onto a lead, ending regulation locked at 5-5. Sudden victory was required and Leininger did not want to waste any time, as he made a quick takedown to win 7-5.
Ruben Rodriguez (FR/Chula Vista, CA) was up next for the 157-pound encounter and he grabbed maximum points for VU with a pin of Jaden Taylor. Rosas, though, had another nail-biting encounter. He made the only point of the match and played great defense to snag a 1-0 decision victory over Tyler Diaz. Gerardo then got back on the mat and pinned Bryant Franklin at 174-pounds to once more maximize his score for the day. Gaunt was once more in the lineup for the 184-pound event, as he overcame Malachi Dowdell to take a 7-2 decision victory. Steven Solis (FR/Heber, CA) was unopposed at 197-pounds but Vanguard then faced its first downturn at the heavyweight class. Jacob Vincent managed to make the extra takedown to win 5-2 over Ruiz, making the final tally 43-3 in favor of the Blue and Gold.
What was Said? "It was a great day to be a Lion," said Head Coach Caleb Flores. "We wrestled really well. But we have a quick turnaround and have to repeat this performance tomorrow."
What's Next? The Mile High Open is tomorrow, as the VU wrestlers will battle it out in the bracket-style competition.
