NorCal champion Brewer leads MJC wrestlers to state

Modesto Junior College wrestler Luke Brewer is a Northern California champion.

Brewer won the 197-pound class at the North Regionals last weekend at Santa Rosa. The sophomore from Bret Harte High went 3-0 and, in the finals, won via injury default over Jason Zecchini of Sacramento. Zecchini, clearly injured, tried to compete but the match was stopped after less than a minute.

Brewer leads a five-man MJC contingent to the state meet to be held Friday and Saturday at Fresno City College. Two years ago, Brewer placed third at state at 197.

Placing second at the North Regional at 157 was the Pirates’ Noor Kathem. He lost by decision in the title match to Kaleio Romero of Sacramento.

The top six in each weight class at the regional advanced to state. Other MJC wrestlers who extended their season were Cristian Vasquez (third at 125), Mark Taijeron (third at 149) and Jose Garcia (sixth at 285).

Modesto placed fourth in the 10-team field at Santa Rosa.

Riddle at Oakdale – Twenty-seven schools will be represented at the 40th Riddle Invitational, one of the Stanislaus District’s top early-season meets, Saturday at Oakdale High. Action begins at 9 a.m. with the finals scheduled for 3 p.m.

Hall of Fame

Cal State Stanislaus – An elite team, a pioneer and an international athlete will be honored among other champions spanning five decades at the latest induction of the Cal State Stanislaus Athletics Hall of Fame.

The Warriors’ best will be recognized at the induction ceremony Feb. 6 as part of homecoming weeks activities and will be introduced at halftime of Stanislaus’ men’s basketball game that night against Cal State East Bay.

“There have been a lot of historical performances here at Stanislaus State and we are thrilled to celebrate our sports history and remind everyone of the rich tradition in Warrior athletics,” athletic director Michael Matoso said.

For tickets, contact Warrior athletics (209-667-3016) or go to www.warriorathletics.com/HOF.

Stanislaus’ 1982 men’s basketball team, the memorable “Beach Boys” who reached the NCAA Division III Final Four, will be inducted. The rest of the list:

▪ Meghan Franksen (2006-09), arguably the best shortstop in school softball history.

▪ Marc Lawless (1999-02), a two-time All-American golfer and two-time top-three finisher at the NCAA Championships.

▪ Martha Moren (1973-95), a Stanislaus athletics pioneer who served as the first volleyball coach and also coached women’s tennis.

▪ Joel Stallworth (2006-07), a sprinter and three-time All-American and the West region’s two-time track athlete of the year.

▪ George White (1968-69), who scored 805 points in his only basketball season for the Warriors (before the three-point arc) and still holds six school scoring records.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "NorCal champion Brewer leads MJC wrestlers to state."