(Santa Ana, CA) In its third competition of the season, he Mt. SAC Wrestling Team placed third in the annual Santa Ana Tournament on Saturday (Oct. 5).
"I really feel that the team is improving and moving in the right direction," Mt. SAC Wrestling Coach David Rivera said. "It's still early in the season and as we continue to improve we can close the distance to those top teams."
Sophomore Melad Ayyoub led the Mounties, going a perfect 3-0, and taking first-place finish in the 184 Lb. weight class. Ayyoub defeated teammate Kevin Hope, who had a 2-1 record.
Mt. SAC, had seven pins in the tournament, finishing third behind champion Cerritos (128 pts.) and second-place Bakersfield (101). Cerritos led the way with 10 pins in the tournament and three individual titles.
Mounties highlights in the 24-team tournament that included top teams from the North and the South, were five Mounties competing in tournament championship matches. Mt. SAC entered 17 wrestlers in the tourney.
In the 125 lb. weight class, Conner Diamond (3-1) advanced to the championship final but was pinned at the 1:28 mark of the third period. Among his three wins, Diamond (3-1) had a pin in the second round and blanked his opponent, 7-0 in the semifinals.
In the 141 lb. weight class, Oscar Chirino (2-1) also lost in the championship, 15-5. After a bye in the first round, Chirino won by technical fall in the second round (22-4) and won his semifinal match (9-4).
Freshman Wetzel Hill advanced to the championship match in the 165 lb. weight class, losing 16-8. Along the way, he received two byes and then pinned his opponent in the quarterfinals and won by technical fall in the semi's.
In addition to Ayyoub and Hope in the final of the 184 lb. weight class, Mt. SAC's Joseph Flores placed fourth. After losing to Ayyoub in the semifinals, Flores advanced to the third-place match, but was pinned in the second period. Flores was 3-2, which included two technical falls.
Jimmy Adams went 3-1 in his four matches at 157 lbs., which included a major decision (16-2) and a technical fall.
The team travels to Rio Hondo for its first conference (SCWA Southwest) dual of the season on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.