By John M. Sherrard

(Stockton, CA) After day one of the California Community College Athletic Association State Wrestling Championships, the So Cal Champion Mt. SAC Wrestling Team sits in second place behind defending state champion Fresno City. Top-ranked Fresno has 98.5 points and the third-ranked Mounties are 18 behind at 80.5 after the opening day at San Joaquin Delta College.

The championships continue on Saturday with two sessions, concluding with the 10 weight class finals in the evening.

In addition, an amazing 11 of the 12 Mountie wrestlers who qualified for the CCCAA state championships advanced to day two, which includes five semifinalists.

"(Mt. SAC) has 11 of 12 wrestlers still in today," Mt. SAC coach David Rivera said. "We look forward to waking up (Saturday) and competing."

The five semifinalists include: 133 Lbs. – Adam Valdez; 141 Lbs. – Joseph Dominguez; 165 Lbs. – Apollo Santos; 174 Lbs. – Hector Vargas; 184 Lbs. – Luis Melecio.

"Joseph had a good first day," Rivera said.

Six other Mounties also advanced to Day 2: 133 Lbs. – John Whisner, Elijah Diaz; 149 Lbs. – Manuel Salcedo; 157 Lbs. - Joseph Valdez; 165 Lbs. - Matthew Mejia; 197 Lbs. – David Chavarria.

Day one highlights for the Mounties:

125 Lbs:

Mt. SAC qualified two wrestlers, Whisner and Diaz, who both advanced to the quarterfinals but lost. Diaz received a first-round bye and fell short in the quarterfinals, while fifth-ranked Whisner won his first-round match by technical fall (18-3) and lost to top-ranked Brandon Betancourt of Fresno City College.

In his next match Diaz won by technical fall (18-3) and Whisner pinned his opponent in the third period. Whisner and Diaz will face each other in their first match of the day.

133 Lbs.

Valdez, wrestling down from his 141 Lb. weight class where he is ranked seventh, won both his matches in route to the semifinals. The first match he pinned his opponent at 1:43 of the first period and won by major decision (19-7) over No. 3-ranked Tyler Poalillo in the quarterfinals.

141 Lbs.

Dominguez, who placed third at 149 Lbs. at state last year, received a first-round bye and pinned No. 4-ranked Brandon Rullan of San Joaquin Delta in the quarterfinals at :25 of the first period to advance to the semifinals. Dominguez is ranked second at 149 Lbs. but is also wrestling down a weight class.

149 Lbs.

Salcedo won his first-round match by technical fall (25-8), lost in the quarterfinals to No.1 ranked Dylan Martinez of Fresno CC, received a bye in his next match and won his third match by pin in the second period.

157 Lbs.

Valdez won his opening round match by a 12-4 decision, lost a quarterfinal match to fifth-ranked Josh McMillion of Fresno City and won his third match by a 6-3 decision.

165 Lbs.

Two Mountie wrestlers qualified, with fifth-ranked Santos advancing to the semifinals with two wins, a 17-3 major decision and a 5-4 decision. Mejia, ranked third, received a first-round bye, lost in the quarterfinals and won an 11-4 decision in his second match.

174 Lbs.

Vargas, who is ranked first in the state, received a first-round bye and a won a 9-7 decision to advance to Saturday's semifinals.

184 Lbs.

No. 4-ranked Melecio became the fourth Mountie to advance to the semifinals with two wins, a 16-3 major decision and an 8-3 decision.

197 Lbs.

Chavarria, ranked sixth, won his opening-round match in a close 2-1 decision, lost a quarterfinal match and won a 10-6 decision in his third match.

285 Lbs.

Gabe Herrera lost a close 2-1 decision in his first-round match, received a bye in his second match and fell in another close decision, 4-3.

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