By John Sherrard, Correspondent
BALDWIN PARK – You can throw out all the records when Sierra Vista and Baldwin Park meet on the mat.
Both teams came into the nonleague wrestling dual meet with eight wins apiece, but the Dons avenged last year’s loss with a 42-26 victory over the host Braves Thursday night. The two rivals, in a packed gym, put on quite a show with the outcome not decided until the 195-pound match between the Braves’ Edwin Calderon and Sierra Vista’s Jose Aguilar. Aguilar pinned his opponent with 46 seconds left in the second period to give the Dons a 36-20 lead with only two weight classes remaining. (To continue reading, click thread)
“It was a typical match between the two schools,” longtime Sierra Vista coach Tony Gonzales said. “We’ve had some good matches over the years and they beat us in our place last year in the last match.”
Sierra Vista (9-3), ranked in the top 10 in the preseason CIF Division 7 poll, got off to a quick 18-0 start with three wins by way of first-period pins.
Ruben Rosas (113) pinned his opponent at 1:17, Nikki Velasquez (106) pinned her opponent at 1:36 and Michael Miranda made quick work of his opponent at the 52-second mark.
However, the match of the night was in the 132-pound weight class with Sierra Vista senior Emanuel Soto and Baldwin Park’s Jose Ceja battling into overtime.
Soto held a two-point lead (6-4) with 11 seconds remaining, but Ceja earned two quick points by way of an escape and a delay by Soto to tie the match.
Soto quickly picked up two points on a reversal for the win.
“This rivalry is big and I really wanted to get the win,” Soto said.
Baldwin Park (8-5) picked up its first win of the match with a major decision (15-7) by Ivan Conchas at 126 pounds to trail 18-4.
After Soto’s match, Sierra Vista picked up two wins by decision. Abraham Soto (138) defeated Matt Cons and Diego Sandoval (145) outpointed Eric Johnson, 9-7.
Baldwin Park won the next three matches to close within 27-20. Frank Palomares (152) pinned Greg Orozco, Brandon Lopez (162) won by major decision and David Montiel (170), who was trailing 9-4, pinned Nathan Sedano with seven seconds left in the first period.
After Soto’s OT win, Sierra Vista won the final two matches. Brothers Jose Aguilar (195) and Isaac Aguilar (heavyweight) both pinned their opponents.
“It’s always been where one team could be stronger than the other, but when we match up with the duals, the pride comes into play and it doesn’t really matter, with the records coming off the table,” Baldwin Park coach Raul Tapia said.
