Wrestlers compete against big dogs

By Joseph Ovalle

The East Los Angeles College wrestling team had tough competition wrestling NCAA Division I universities as well as community colleges Nov. 1 at the San Francisco State Under 21 JC/College Open.

ELAC wrestles competed against Stanford University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal Baptist, all Divsion I programs. ELAC wrestlers also competed against Menlo College of the NAIA.

“It was a good experience and I was happy with the effort,” ELAC Head Coach Ralph Valle said. “I saw no one backed down and that’s a testament to our training.”

ELAC’s best showing was from sophomore William Amelong and freshman Ronnie Requena in the heavyweight division. Also, Daniel Martinez (141) reached the consolation quarterfinals.

“Felt good this weekend but there’s room for improvement,” Amelong said.

Sophomore Maury Lemons (heavyweight) went 2-2 overall and also reached the consolation semifinals. He lost to Nick Johnson of Cal Poly Pomona twice 8-3 and 5-3.

Freshman Johnny Robles (125) also went 2-2, beating A.J. Rosas of Fresno City College. Robles’ losses were to Troy Larkin of Menlo and Brandon Vu of San Francisco State University.

“It was tough but a good experience getting to wrestle some good schools,” Robles said.

Freshman Jonathan Mandujano (149) beat Ulysses Molina and Brady Green both of Skyline College en route to a consolation quarterfinal finish.

Mandujano’s two losses came at the hands of Div. I wrestlers, Jacob Leon of Cal Poly Pomona and Tyler Lawrence of Cal State Bakersfield.

“It felt good knowing I (wrestled) someone at the top of the wrestling food chain,” Mandujano said.

Sophomore Joseph Magdaleno-Hudson (157), currently ranked second in the state in the California community college polls, had a rough day.

He finished 1-2 overall. Magdaleno-Hudson’s only win came in the first round against Rocklin Loranger of Sierra College by pin.

Freshman Maria Hernandez (133) went 0-2 losing against Anwar Hernandez of Skyline College and Victor Trujillo of Cal Poly SLO.

“When I showed up and saw all these Div. 1 schools I knew it was no joke. I made it this far and it makes me proud that my hard work is showing on the mat,” Hernandez said.

ELAC will compete in the South Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15 at Bakersfield College.

ELAC Results:

 

Kevin Valdez 125 weight division

loss by pin, Aj Rosas (Fresno City College )

loss by pin, Elias Hernandez (Menlo College)

 

Johnny Robles (125)

lost 16-3,Troy Lakin (Menlo)

won 16-0, Carter Danali (Sierra College)

win 9-4, Aj Rosas (Fresno City)

lost 20-8, Brandon Vu (San Francisco State)

 

Maria Hernandez (133)

lost by pin, Anwar Halteh (Skyline College)

lost 15-0, Joel Palabrica (Menlo)

 

Daniel Martinez (141)

won by pin, Micheal Bronze (Cuesta College)

lost 7-3, Colt Schiling (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

lost by pin, Peter Russo (Stanford)

 

Johnny Mandujano (149)

won 13-6, Ulysses Molina (Skyline)

lost by pin, Jacob Leon (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

won 9-6, Brady Green (Skyline)

lost 5-4, Tyler Lawrence (Cal State Bakersfield)

 

Joseph Magdaleno-Hudson (157)

won by pin, Rocklin Loranger (Sierra)

lost 8-0, Kaleio Romero (San Francisco State)

lost 3-1, Elijah Taylor (Clackamas Community College)

 

Marco Ramirez (157)

lost by pin, Allen Bjur (Cuesta)

lost 6-2, Elijah Taylor (Clackamas)

 

Max Velez (157)

lost by pin, Samuel Duchene (Menlo)

lost by pin, Johnny Callas (Cuesta)

 

Juan Soto (174)

lost by pin, Joe Applegate (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

won by pin, Chad Thodos (Skyline)

lost 5-4, Nate Mesa (Cuesta)

 

Jorge Guerrero (184)

lost 9-2, Nathan Morris (Stanford)

lost 3-2, Marvin Grant (Sierra)

 

Ronnie Requena (hwt)

lost by pin, Jimmy Dawson (Sierra)

won by pin, Brett Kimball (Cuesta)

lost 5-0, Maury Lemons (ELAC)

 

William Amelong (hwt)

lost 9-2, John Morin (Clackamas)

won 4-0, Cornelio Sanchez (Unattached)

won by pin, Brandon Johnson (Clackamas)

lost 9-5, Jimmy Dawson (Sierra)

 

Maury Lemons (hwt)

lost 8-3, Nick Johnson (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)

won 5-3, John Morin (Clackamas)

won 5-0, Ronnie Requena (ELAC)

lost 5-3, Nick Johnson (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo)