Wrestlers start off dueling green and white

By Michael Price

Friday, September 21, 2012

Two squads of ELAC wrestlers faced off against each other for starting positions yesterday evening at the Green-and-White Duals held in the men’s gym.

The meet showcased new and returning Elan wrestlers. Eleven matches were held in total.

The inter-squad meet is held to assess where the wrestlers are at, Head Coach Ralph J. Valle explained, “The purpose [of the Green and White Duals] is to get the cobwebs out and get the wrestlers worked out.”  He added, “It’s to see where they are in terms of technique.”

Many of the wrestlers have spent time away from wrestling while others have yet to take to their first match. Yet despite the wrestlers having little time back on the mat some wrestlers still managed to catch the coach’s eye.

The first match was between freshmen Victor Cisneros and Jonathon Mandujano. Both wrestlers slapped and grappled each other in a match that lasted three rounds. Mandujano came out on top with a score of 7-6.

Hugo Perez and Joseph Padilla started the match aggressive and eager, earning their coach’s praise. “Probably the best two matches were Mandujano-Cisneros and the Perez-Padilla match.” Perez bested Padilla 4-3 in a match that went on for all three rounds.

A wrestler who seemed to dominate was Joshua Newman. Valle spoke highly of the returning sophomore, “Newman is real tough. His goal is to be state champion.” Joshua Newman won his match without allowing a single point for his opponent Sohrab Sheikhha.

Some other results include Michael Reyes, majoring in Administration of Justice, beating Adrian Virgen by technical fall, 15-0. Reyes racked up points in this 149-pounds match with three consecutive near pins.

Two freshman also squared off  in the 157-pound match with Andrew Reel scoring a pin over Joseph Aguila.

Jonathan Mandujano pinned Michael Zaragoza in the 149-pound match.

The ELAC team will travel to Mt. San Antonio College this Saturday to compete in the Mt. SAC duals all day. The Huskies look to be prepared for the meet according to the coach. “I didn’t have an idea just yet, but now I have a better idea” said Valle.