By Brandon Yung
Staff Writer
Photos by Hana Tyszka
The Tigers lost to the rivals San Marino Titans at the most recent wrestling duel on Thursday, January 14, having lost all nine matches. The concluding score was 12-63; 12 points given to South Pas because of the Titan’s forfeiture of two weight classes and 24 points given to San Marino due to an absence of four weight classes from South Pas. All but one of the eight matches wrestled ended with pins performed by San Marino.
The duel started off with freshman George Barrone (106lb) beginning his matchup with an early takedown; he eventually lost during his second period. San Marino forfeited the 113lb and 125lb weight classes, giving default wins to senior Caleb St.Julian and sophomore Irvin Perez, respectively.
The next three matches were all almost immediate pins. Seniors Nathalie Lizama (120lb) and Tyler Campos (132lb), and sophomore Sebastian Chinen (145lb) all lost during the first period of their matches. Senior Emiliano Sornoso (157lb) then showed grit during his match, defending well against Zander Wick, a wrestler who placed 2nd in the state last season. Sornoso was pinned during his second period.
After another loss from senior Parker Bell (170lb) in the first period, sophomore Fernando Sornoso (182lb) then gave a performance that put everyone on the edge of their seats. Sornoso broke a 50 second stand-off with the first takedown of the match. The score was set 4-4 near the end of the 3rd and final period after a bout of takedowns and escapes. 26 seconds left in the period, Sornoso was given a technical violation for pulling on his opponents fingers, concluding the match 4-5.
“We’re just not up to that level yet; after all, they are the fifth best [wrestling] school in the state,” assistant coach Victor Gonzalez said.
The Tigers prepares to face St. Paul at their next duel on Thursday, January 21.
