By Joseph Ovalle
The East Los Angeles College wrestling team fell to Rio Hondo College, 32-15, Oct. 9 at home in the men’s gym.
Sophomores Joseph Magdaleno-Hudson and Maury Lemons were kept out of the line-up due to apparent injuries.
Both wrestlers are ranked in state with Magdaleno-Hudson second-ranked in in the 157-pound division and Lemons eighth in the heavyweight class.
The Huskies fell to a quick deficit when freshman Mariaelena Hernandez (125) gave up a pin to Efrain Flores of Rio Hondo.
“Its all good. Keep going never give up and you’ll be with the best, (which is) my motivational quote to keep going and not giving up,” Hernandez said.
Rio Hondo extended the lead to 13-0 after ELAC sophomore Daniel Martinez (141) lost a decision to Rio Hondo’s Daniel Ramiro, 10-4. Ramiro made honorable mention in the state rankings.
The Huskies got the first win of the meet when freshman Jonathan Mandujano beat David Moran 11-5.
“(I’m) always looking to improve as fast as possible to get momentum going,” Mandujano said.
Adrian Herrera (165) gave the Huskies a 15-13 lead when he pinned Greg Tomas of Rio Hondo in the second period of his match. Herrera is currently ranked eighth in the state.
The Huskies were unable to hold the lead. The meet ended when heavyweight ELAC’s Anthony Florido lost by pin to Rio Hondo’s Javier Gonzalez, who is ranked second in the state.