Newman leads ELAC wrestling team in Bakersfield

By Tadzio Garcia

The wrestling team entered the Bakersfield Duals short and injured and walked away with more injuries and three losses. Joshua Newman wrestled undefeated at 184 pounds last Saturday in Bakersfield.

The Huskies stand 1-7 overall in dual meet competition.

The Huskies lost a nail biter to Santa Ana College 21-20, were outscored by Bakersfield College 32-22, and came out on the short end against Cuesta College, 42-12, and Mt. San Antonio College 35-6.

The Cuesta match was much closer that the score indicated.

Husky injuries resulted in two forfeits against the Cougars and Joseph Aguila lost a close match after dominating throughout it.

“It was a frustrating day. Missing guys that make a difference. Everybody needs to step up when called. We’ll be OK and we will get better,” Head Coach Ralph Valle said.

Joshua Newman, 7-1 after two duals, opened the day pinning Bakersfield’s Pablo Martinez, followed by 12-3 major decision over Awad Yasin of Santa Ana.

Newman was tested against Martinez in a match that could have gone either.

“I pulled out the fall with a standing switch and a cradle. (Martinez) was below when I stood up and he was loose. I knew I had an opportunity and I took it,” Newman said.

Newman also had falls against Mt. SAC’s Kenny Breaux and Cuesta’s Juan Valladares.

Joseph Padilla at 133 pounds was 2-2 for the day and is 5-2 overall.

Padilla won a major decision over Steve Snyder of Santa Ana, 16-6, after taking some hits.

“Padilla got his nose popped by his opponent and also his shoulder which hit his mouth and he still won—and by a lot. That’s called dedication to the sport,” ELAC student Marlene Salazar said.

Salazar, a graphic design major, was among the ELAC faithful.

Michael Middlebrooks was even at 2-2 in Bakersfield and is 5-2 overall after recording a fall over Tyler Hatsfield of Bakersfield.

The Huskies compete in their first tournament of the season at Santa Ana College on Saturday, all day.

The Santa Ana tournament is one of the largest meets of the season bringing powerhouses from the north, including defending state champion Fresno, as well as the top teams from the south.