Fresno City takes home CCCAA Wrestling Championship for second straight year
December 9, 2017
Team Scores l Brackets l Recap l Individual awards
STOCKTON, CA - For the second season in a row, Fresno City outlasted all other colleges, as they amassed 184 team points to win the CCCAA State Wrestling Championship, which took place at San Joaquin Delta College. The state title by the Rams was their state record 15th CCCAA Team State Championship, marking the 10th year in a row they finished in at least the top three in the team scoring. The championship round saw six Fresno wrestlers appearing, with the team winning the first four weight classifications.
The four individual championships run Fresno City's career total to 79 individual champions. That number surpases second place Cerritos College, who now has 59 individual champions in their history after picking up one more this year.
The Rams Paul Keysaw was named the Coach of the Year for the second year in a row and 10th time in his career. He has won seven of them as the head coach at Fresno City and three while the head coach at Moorpark College.
125 Pounds
1st Place - Brandon Bettancourt (FCC) def. Morgan Sauceda (Sacramento City), 7-1
In a battle of the top two wrestlers from Northern California, Brandon Bettancourt matched his win over Morgan Sauceda just like he did at the Northern California Championships. Bettancourt opened the scoring early in the first period with a takedown and ended the first three minutes with 2:15 of riding time. He increased his lead to 4-0 with a second period reversal and then matched that feat with another reversal early in the third period to lock down the win.
In a battle of the top two wrestlers from Northern California, Brandon Bettancourt matched his win over Morgan Sauceda just like he did at the Northern California Championships. Bettancourt opened the scoring early in the first period with a takedown and ended the first three minutes with 2:15 of riding time. He increased his lead to 4-0 with a second period reversal and then matched that feat with another reversal early in the third period to lock down the win.
3rd Place - Greg Viloria (San Joaquin Delta) def. Elijah Diaz (Mt. SAC), 3-1
5th Place - Danny Borrego (Skyline) def. Brandon Mendoza (Modesto), 3-2
7th Place - John Whisner (Mt. SAC) pinned Isaac Guerrero (Palomar), 3:22
NOTES: Morgan Sauceda placed fourth at 125 pounds in 2016; Elijah Diaz placed sixth at 125 pounds in 2016
141 Pounds
149 Pounds
165 Pounds
174 Pounds
5th Place - Danny Borrego (Skyline) def. Brandon Mendoza (Modesto), 3-2
7th Place - John Whisner (Mt. SAC) pinned Isaac Guerrero (Palomar), 3:22
NOTES: Morgan Sauceda placed fourth at 125 pounds in 2016; Elijah Diaz placed sixth at 125 pounds in 2016
133 Pounds
1st Place - Isaiah Perez (Fresno City) def. Pedro Corona (Bakersfield), 8-1
After a listless first period where both wrestlers were apprehensive to make a move, Northern California champion Isaiah Perez opened the scoring with an escape point and followed that with a takedown and added a two-point near-fall with :54 seconds left in the second period for a 5-0 lead. It was a comfortable 7-1 lead after a third period takedown, as the Rams won their second straight weight championship.
After a listless first period where both wrestlers were apprehensive to make a move, Northern California champion Isaiah Perez opened the scoring with an escape point and followed that with a takedown and added a two-point near-fall with :54 seconds left in the second period for a 5-0 lead. It was a comfortable 7-1 lead after a third period takedown, as the Rams won their second straight weight championship.
3rd Place - Adam Valdez (Mt. SAC) def. Josh Brown (Cerritos), SV-1, 11-5
5th Place - Josh Fuentes (Santa Ana) pinned Tyer Poalillo (Santa Rosa), 2:41
7th Place - Jeremy Newman (Sierra) pinned Zachary Moistner (Palomar), :58
NOTES: Pedro Corona placed fourth at 133 pounds in 2016
5th Place - Josh Fuentes (Santa Ana) pinned Tyer Poalillo (Santa Rosa), 2:41
7th Place - Jeremy Newman (Sierra) pinned Zachary Moistner (Palomar), :58
NOTES: Pedro Corona placed fourth at 133 pounds in 2016
1st Place - Aaron Mora (Fresno City) def. Joseph Dominguez (Mt. SAC), 8-5
Competing most of the season at 149 pounds, Mt. San Antonio's Joseph Dominguez went on to win the Southern California championship at 141 pounds and faced Northern California champion Aaron Mora for the state title. With time running out in the first period, Mora struck first with a takedown and two-point near-fall with just :05 seconds left on the clock. Hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty point in the second period, Mora saw his lead trimmed to 4-2. But with 1:28 left in the third period, a takedown and clasping hands penalty point against Dominguez made it a 7-2 lead. Dominguez made it interesting with a takedown with :52 seconds left in the match to put the score at 7-5.
Competing most of the season at 149 pounds, Mt. San Antonio's Joseph Dominguez went on to win the Southern California championship at 141 pounds and faced Northern California champion Aaron Mora for the state title. With time running out in the first period, Mora struck first with a takedown and two-point near-fall with just :05 seconds left on the clock. Hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty point in the second period, Mora saw his lead trimmed to 4-2. But with 1:28 left in the third period, a takedown and clasping hands penalty point against Dominguez made it a 7-2 lead. Dominguez made it interesting with a takedown with :52 seconds left in the match to put the score at 7-5.
3rd Place - Abraham Del Toro (Fresno City) major decision over Adrian Marufo (West Hills), 20-8
5th Place - Nick Camacho (Cerritos) major decision over Jeremy Huang (Santa Ana), 13-2
7th Place - Jacob Jimenez (Palomar) def. Brandon Rullan (San Joaquin Delta), 1:04 Inj.
NOTES: Aaron Mora placed third at 133 pounds in 2016; Joseph Dominguez placed third at 149 pounds in 2016; Adrian Marufo placed fifth at 133 pounds in 2016
5th Place - Nick Camacho (Cerritos) major decision over Jeremy Huang (Santa Ana), 13-2
7th Place - Jacob Jimenez (Palomar) def. Brandon Rullan (San Joaquin Delta), 1:04 Inj.
NOTES: Aaron Mora placed third at 133 pounds in 2016; Joseph Dominguez placed third at 149 pounds in 2016; Adrian Marufo placed fifth at 133 pounds in 2016
1st Place - Dylan Martinez (Fresno City) pinned Blake Boswell (Santa Rosa), 3:44
Defending his 2016 championship, Dylan Martinez made it four individual state champions in a row for the Rams, as he pinned Blake Boswell in 3:44. Martinez defeated Boswell at the Northern California Championships and led, 4-0 at the time of the pin.
Defending his 2016 championship, Dylan Martinez made it four individual state champions in a row for the Rams, as he pinned Blake Boswell in 3:44. Martinez defeated Boswell at the Northern California Championships and led, 4-0 at the time of the pin.
3rd Place - Wolfgang Bernal (Santa Ana) def. Manuel Salcedo (Mt. SAC), 9-2
5th Place - Nathan Navida (Palomar) win by injury default vs. Emmett Kuntz (Bakersfield)
7th Place - Khalil Howard (Rio Hondo) pinned Carlos Vasquez (San Joaquin Delta), 2:18
5th Place - Nathan Navida (Palomar) win by injury default vs. Emmett Kuntz (Bakersfield)
7th Place - Khalil Howard (Rio Hondo) pinned Carlos Vasquez (San Joaquin Delta), 2:18
NOTES: Dylan Martinez won the state title at 149 pounds in 2016
157 Pounds
1st Place - James Schmidt (Rio Hondo) def. Conrad Lopez (Fresno City), 12-4
If there was a Fresno City killer over the weekend, it was James Schmidt. After defeated Northern California champion Josh McMillon in the semifinals, Schmidt capped off his season with a convincing win over Conrad Lopez, who defeated Southern California champion Wyatt Gerl (Cerritos) in the other semifinal. It was a close 2-2 match in the second period, when Schmidt recorded a pair of takedowns to carry a 6-3 lead into the third period. After an escape point to start the third period, Schmidt also received a point when Lopez was penalized for stalling. Another takedown with 1:01 left sealed the win.
If there was a Fresno City killer over the weekend, it was James Schmidt. After defeated Northern California champion Josh McMillon in the semifinals, Schmidt capped off his season with a convincing win over Conrad Lopez, who defeated Southern California champion Wyatt Gerl (Cerritos) in the other semifinal. It was a close 2-2 match in the second period, when Schmidt recorded a pair of takedowns to carry a 6-3 lead into the third period. After an escape point to start the third period, Schmidt also received a point when Lopez was penalized for stalling. Another takedown with 1:01 left sealed the win.
3rd Place - Wyatt Gerl (Cerritos) pinned Muhammad Lateef (San Joaquin Delta), 4:14
5th Place - Josh McMillon (Fresno City) def. Joseph Valdez (Mt. SAC), 5-4
7th Place - William Schwertscharf (Modesto) def. Jose Paiz (West Hills), 4-2
NOTES: Wyatt Gerl placed fifth at 149 pounds in 2016
5th Place - Josh McMillon (Fresno City) def. Joseph Valdez (Mt. SAC), 5-4
7th Place - William Schwertscharf (Modesto) def. Jose Paiz (West Hills), 4-2
NOTES: Wyatt Gerl placed fifth at 149 pounds in 2016
1st Place - Apollo Santos (Mt. SAC) def. Victor Vargas (Fresno City), 3-2
Finishing third at the Southern California Championships, Apollo Santos saved his best for last, as he outlasted top-ranked Victor Vargas. A quick takedown by Santos gave him an early advantage, while the rest of the match was spent playing defense on both ends, with the other points coming from escapes. Vargas made a late surge to try and pull out the win, but time ran out before he could get an advantage against Santos.
Finishing third at the Southern California Championships, Apollo Santos saved his best for last, as he outlasted top-ranked Victor Vargas. A quick takedown by Santos gave him an early advantage, while the rest of the match was spent playing defense on both ends, with the other points coming from escapes. Vargas made a late surge to try and pull out the win, but time ran out before he could get an advantage against Santos.
3rd Place - Matthew Mejia (Mt. SAC) major decision over Brandon Tierny (Santa Ana), 13-5
5th Place - Isaac Bartalotto (Sacramento City) def. Blake Vasquez (Cerritos), injury default
7th Place - Josh Koning (Moorpark) pinned Brian Horn (Sacramento City), :23
NOTES: Brandon Tierny placed seventh at 157 pounds in 2016; Blake Vasquez placed fourth at 165 pounds in 2016
5th Place - Isaac Bartalotto (Sacramento City) def. Blake Vasquez (Cerritos), injury default
7th Place - Josh Koning (Moorpark) pinned Brian Horn (Sacramento City), :23
NOTES: Brandon Tierny placed seventh at 157 pounds in 2016; Blake Vasquez placed fourth at 165 pounds in 2016
1st Place - Anthony Cress (Chabot) pinned Abel Garcia (Sacramento City), 2:52
After losing the Northern California championship match to Anthony Cress, Sacramento City's Abel Garcia jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first minute. But Cress was able to escape and got Garcia on his back before ending the match with just :08 seconds left in the first period.
3rd Place - Hector Vargas (Mt SAC) def. Braulio Banuelos (Palomar), 7-5
5th Place - Miguel Ruiz (Fresno City) def. Cameron Casey (Santa Rosa), 8-5
7th Place - Zack Gonzalez (Cerritos) pinned Robert Flores (Moorpark), 6:18
184 Pounds
1st Place - Adrian Godinez (Bakersfield) def. Luis Melecio (Mt. SAC), 10-4
In a rematch of the Southern California championship match, Godinez almost ended it in the first period when he recorded a takedown and four-point near-fall with just under a minute left. A 6-2 lead in the second period became an 8-2 advantage on a takedown with just :11 seconds left. Another takedown in the third period secured the win for the top-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds.
3rd Place - Tevin Bailey (Lassen) major decision over Jeremy Maas (Bakersfield), 14-2
5th Place - Isaac Sillas (Sacramento City) pinned Dylan Kranich (San Joaquin Delta), :41
7th Place - Angel Verduzco (Cerritos def. Leo Perez (Santa Ana), 14-7
197 Pounds
1st Place - David Van Weems (Cerritos) def. Rob Nickerson (Sacramento City), 9-4
The second two-time winner on the night, David Van Weems didn't allow any offensive points against the Northern California champion. Van Weems recorded four takedowns against Nickerson and surrendered just four escape points. A quick takedown :10 seconds in set the tone for Van Weems, who concluded his career undefeated against community college competition.
3rd Place - Marcus Macias (Fresno City) pinned Lazaro Carrasco (Chabot), 2:13
5th Place - Daniel Warden (Sacramento City) pinned Zavion Roberson (Bakersfield), 2:13
7th Place - David Chavaria (Mt. SAC) def. Tristan Bergovic (Shasta), 4OT, 4-4 (won on riding time)
NOTES: David Van Weems won the state championship at 197 pounds in 2016; Zavion Roberson placed eighth at 197 pounds in 2016
285 Pounds
1st Place - Chance Eskam (Palomar) def. Brandon Sotomayor (East Los Angeles), 3-2
In a rematch of last year's state championship match, Chance Eskam continued his dominance over Brandon Sotomayor. Two weeks ago, Eskam won in the Southern California championship match and duplicated his performance in the finals by posting the exact same winning score. Eskam recorded a takedown just :14 seconds into the match and defended against any attempts by Sotomayor, including one heated exchange in the final :20 seconds of the match.
3rd Place - Cola Mair (Lassen) def. Chumkaur Dhaliwal (Chabot), 5-3
5th Place - Jesse Flores (Modesto) def. Casey Jones (Fresno City), 1-0
7th Place - Ramon Guzman (Skyline) def. Ramiro Macias (Bakersfield), 3-2
NOTES: This was a rematch of last year's state championship match; Ramiro Macias placed fifth at 285 pounds in 2016After losing the Northern California championship match to Anthony Cress, Sacramento City's Abel Garcia jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first minute. But Cress was able to escape and got Garcia on his back before ending the match with just :08 seconds left in the first period.
3rd Place - Hector Vargas (Mt SAC) def. Braulio Banuelos (Palomar), 7-5
5th Place - Miguel Ruiz (Fresno City) def. Cameron Casey (Santa Rosa), 8-5
7th Place - Zack Gonzalez (Cerritos) pinned Robert Flores (Moorpark), 6:18
184 Pounds
1st Place - Adrian Godinez (Bakersfield) def. Luis Melecio (Mt. SAC), 10-4
In a rematch of the Southern California championship match, Godinez almost ended it in the first period when he recorded a takedown and four-point near-fall with just under a minute left. A 6-2 lead in the second period became an 8-2 advantage on a takedown with just :11 seconds left. Another takedown in the third period secured the win for the top-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds.
3rd Place - Tevin Bailey (Lassen) major decision over Jeremy Maas (Bakersfield), 14-2
5th Place - Isaac Sillas (Sacramento City) pinned Dylan Kranich (San Joaquin Delta), :41
7th Place - Angel Verduzco (Cerritos def. Leo Perez (Santa Ana), 14-7
197 Pounds
1st Place - David Van Weems (Cerritos) def. Rob Nickerson (Sacramento City), 9-4
The second two-time winner on the night, David Van Weems didn't allow any offensive points against the Northern California champion. Van Weems recorded four takedowns against Nickerson and surrendered just four escape points. A quick takedown :10 seconds in set the tone for Van Weems, who concluded his career undefeated against community college competition.
3rd Place - Marcus Macias (Fresno City) pinned Lazaro Carrasco (Chabot), 2:13
5th Place - Daniel Warden (Sacramento City) pinned Zavion Roberson (Bakersfield), 2:13
7th Place - David Chavaria (Mt. SAC) def. Tristan Bergovic (Shasta), 4OT, 4-4 (won on riding time)
NOTES: David Van Weems won the state championship at 197 pounds in 2016; Zavion Roberson placed eighth at 197 pounds in 2016
285 Pounds
1st Place - Chance Eskam (Palomar) def. Brandon Sotomayor (East Los Angeles), 3-2
In a rematch of last year's state championship match, Chance Eskam continued his dominance over Brandon Sotomayor. Two weeks ago, Eskam won in the Southern California championship match and duplicated his performance in the finals by posting the exact same winning score. Eskam recorded a takedown just :14 seconds into the match and defended against any attempts by Sotomayor, including one heated exchange in the final :20 seconds of the match.
3rd Place - Cola Mair (Lassen) def. Chumkaur Dhaliwal (Chabot), 5-3
5th Place - Jesse Flores (Modesto) def. Casey Jones (Fresno City), 1-0
7th Place - Ramon Guzman (Skyline) def. Ramiro Macias (Bakersfield), 3-2
| 2017 CCCAA Wrestling State Championships | |||
| December 8-9, 2017 | |||
| San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton | |||
| Place | Team | Points | |
| 1. | Fresno City | 184.0 | |
| 2. | Mt. SAC | 152.0 | |
| 3. | Sacramento City | 98.0 | |
| 4. | Cerritos | 86.0 | |
| 5. | Bakersfield | 71.5 | |
| 6. | Palomar | 67.5 | |
| 7. | Santa Ana | 66.0 | |
| 8. | San Joaquin Delta | 56.5 | |
| 9. | Chabot | 55.0 | |
| 10. | Santa Rosa | 37.5 | |
| 11. | Rio Hondo | 33.5 | |
| 12. | Lassen | 30.0 | |
| 13. | Modesto | 27.5 | |
| 14. | West Hills | 22.5 | |
| 15. | Skyline | 21.5 | |
| 16. | Moorpark | 20.0 | |
| 17. | East LA | 15.0 | |
| 18. | Sierra | 7.5 | |
| 19. | Shasta | 4.0 | |
| 20. | Cuesta | 0.0 | |
| 21. | Victor Valley | 0.0 | |
| 2017 CCCAA Wrestling State Championships | |||
| December 8-9, 2017 | |||
| San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton | |||
| Most Falls in Shortest Time | |||
| Josh Fuentes, Santa Ana - 3 Falls - 3:44 | |||
| Outstanding Wrestler | |||
| Dylan Martinez, Fresno City - 149 lbs | |||
| Coach of the Year | |||
| Paul Keysaw, Fresno City | |||
| Assistant Coach of the Year | |||
| George Moreno, Fresno City | |||
