By John M. Sherrard

(San Marcos, CA) For the second consecutive year the Mt. SAC Wrestling team fell to Cerritos College by nearly the same score in the South Regional Dual Championships at Palomar College last Saturday October 14.

The Mounties, who were 2-1 in the tournament, fell to the Falcons 20-15 in the finals. They lost by a 21-15 score in 2016 but won the Duals in 2013 and 2015.

The Mounties defeated Cerritos in the season-opening Mt. SAC Duals.

Mt. SAC, seeded first in the So Cal Duals, defeated Santa Ana 47-0 in the first round and Rio Hondo 40-6 in the semifinals dropping only one match.

Rio Hondo was third with a 3-1 record while Palomar finished fourth at 2-2 and Santa Ana also at 2-2 in fifth.

Leading the way in the semifinals and finals was sophomore Joseph Dominguez (2-0) in the 149 weight class and sophomore Hector Vargas (2-0) at 174 lbs.

Dominguez, who also won in the 149 weight class last season in the So Cal Duals and is currently ranked second in state by the CACC, won both of his semi and finals matches by pins, while Vargas (ranked second) won his semi by a major decision (16-6) and final by a close 3-2 decision.

Mt. SAC, which was ranked third in the state in the October 9th CACC poll, took a 3-0 lead in the championship as freshman John Martinez (125 lbs.) won by decision, 15-8. Cerritos then led 4-3 in the 133 lb. match with a major decision.

The Mounties then won the next two matches for a 12-4 lead by freshman Adam Valdez, 141 lb. (3-2 decision) and Dominguez (fall).

Cerritos, ranked second in the state poll, won the next two matches (157 and 165 lbs.) by decisions to trail 12-11.

Vargas extended the lead to 15-11 with his close 3-2 decision, but that was the last lead the Mounties would have in the championship match as the Falcon won the 184, 197 and 285 weight classes by decisions for the 20-15 win.

The Mounties will travel north to San Luis Obispo this Saturday October 21st for the Meat Head Movers Invitational at Cuesta College.

Follow Mt. SAC Wrestling on twitter @MtSACWrestling

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.