Wrestling can’t wrangle victory over Monrovia

By Sandy Grossman & Jordan Xiao

Tiger Staff

Photos by Raj Jain

The wrestling team suffered its third league loss of the season in a dual meet against Monrovia High School on Thursday, January 15. The Tigers fell to the Wildcats 44-36 after forfeiting three weight classes totalling 18 uncontested points.

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The Tigers’ strongest performances came in the lower weight classes. The team earned a five pin streak starting with freshman Irvin Perez and concluding with senior Nour Elsayed. Seniors Harry Yun and Angel Amaral floored their opponents at 8-0 and 8-2 respectively, with Yun ending his match one minute into the first period. Other pins came from junior Caleb St. Julian and freshman Brandon Young.

“The team did pretty well tonight, even though we gave up three weight classes,” head coach Al Shuton said. “We had several good performances, but my personal favorite was when Caleb St. Julian pinned his opponent.”

Young’s victory by pin, at 5-0 in his first period, marked a possible turnaround for the Tigers’ heavyweights, but the relatively inexperienced team has a long way to go before it will be competitive as a whole. Sophomore Michael Zepeda lost to his opponent by pin in the second period at 2-0.

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“I tried my hardest and came close to winning the duel, but I couldn’t make it happen. I’m still adjusting to my new weight class,” Zepeda said.

The team’s next event is the Amat Classic Frosh/Soph tournament this weekend, with an opportunity to improve its 0-3 league total at La Canada on Thursday, Jan 22, followed by the prestigious Morro Bay tournament from Friday to Saturday, Jan 23 to 24. Rio Hondo finals are Saturday, Jan 31, following a coach’s seeding meeting the previous Wednesday.

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