Patrick Henry wrestled against Cathedral Catholic a few times, but last time they came out on top by just a few points. We had a mostly beginner lineup and now we were to have another rematch, on senior night, wrestling a league match.
The match was high stakes for several wrestlers who were looking to get their League Championship, but also their last match in the Patriot Gym. Abdullah Alshami (132), Van Alvarez (190) and Ethan Vinoray(128) all wrestled since their freshmen year. They came in at 108, 140 and 113 respectively. They gained a few pounds and experience and wisdom, and now they were leading their team to rematch.
The wrestlers came out through the gate to spotlights in the dark. They faced off against a Cathedral team and shook hands with their opponent. Wrestling began with girls. Sophomore Maverick Garcia lost a close match against Addie Spawn. She was followed by Ethan Vinoray. Ethan began strong with a pick up and slam of Patrick Hook. He continued with several takedowns and nearfalls to clinch a tech fall. Abdullah Alshami wrestled Mateus Verardi. After several attempts to hold him down, Abdullah racked up seven takedowns to a tech fall with a score of 21-6. Alistair Santos (soph-138) followed. They had back and forth takedown scramble for over twenty seconds. Alistar ultimately won with a Tech Fall. He was followed by Anthony Mokhov. Mokhov (Jr 144) came out to a strong lead but could not turn his opponent. After tirelessly trying for two periods, worn out his opponent managed to turn him in third period. Saved by the bell, Mokhov avoided a close call and won the match. Nick Arambula (Jr-152) also dominated his opponent with takedowns and nearfalls, including two throws. He also teched his opponent in second period. After him Ayden Ventura (Fr 157) wrestled a rematch from his 3rd place match at El Cajon Invitational against Ayers Reich. They had a strong battle for takedowns, but ultimately Reich got three nearfalls to tech fall Ventura. After Ventura came out team captain Justin Willard (Jr 165). Willard nearly pinned his opponent, but was turned to his back by a stronger and heavier opponent to lose by fall. Freshmen Will Soares (175) came out against Andy Sotello. Soares scored a pin in the first period taking Patriots to a narrow lead.
After Soares came out Cole Stephenson.(Sr 190) Stephenson picked up his opponent and put him on his back in the first ten second. Being lighter he was rolled to his back, losing the match. With a forfeit at HWT, it was up to Senior Van Alvarez (217) to secure a win. With a pin at 1:46 Alvarez secured the rematch win for the Patriots.
After the match, the team held the Senior night ceremony followed by a Senior dinner in the Cafeteria.
This saturday Freshmen will wrestle at LCC So Cal Freshmen championships and Varsity boys and girls will compete at the Willie J Jones San Diego Conference Championships.
Henry-Wrestling 