Reloading Oakdale dominates Riddle wrestling tournament

The Oakdale High School wrestling program replenishes itself like a trough that never empties. The Mustangs just drink ... and drink ... and drink.

They absorbed major graduation losses in three-time state medalist Nico Colunga and other stars such as Logan Eaton, Max Stevens and Frankie Trent. Their lightweight classes needed an overhaul, but – judging by the results of the 40th James Riddle Classic – the Mustangs have reloaded.

They vaulted seven into the finals Saturday, and six won, including freshman Dustin Chavez (106 pounds), Jake Abeyta (120), brothers Cody and Trevor Williams (126 and 138) and freshman Ricky Torres (132). By now, Trevor Williams, a senior and three-time state qualifier, knows the drill.

“Nico, Logan and Max took me by the wing and taught me how to win. It’s my turn to teach the younger guys,” said Trevor, who pinned Golden Valley’s Brady Mello in the second round for the title. “I also watch out for my younger brother.”

Abel Garcia (195), the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion at 170 pounds last season, completed Oakdale’s trip to the winner’s circle. The Mustangs scored 231 points for a dominating team title over Buhach Colony and Turlock, which tied for second at 167.

The Riddle, always a dependable early-season barometer, drew a field of more than 300 from 25 schools to the Oakdale gym for a meet that started at 9 a.m. and didn’t end until the evening.

A long season awaits, but it seems the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield will be here in an eye-blink. Everyone has charted their goals and, for experienced hands like Trevor Williams, the bar is raised high.

“If it’s not a state title, it will have to be a medal,” Williams said. “I’m not leaving (Bakersfield) without some hardware.”

Also off to a fast start is Abeyta, a junior who didn’t allow a takedown in his 6-2 win over 2015 state qualifier Ivan Gomez of Waterford at 120.

The only wrestler to top the home team in the final round was Central Catholic junior Cristian Dominguez (152), who pulled out a 6-5 victory over Bronson Harmon in the final five seconds of double overtime. Exhausted and seemingly beaten, Dominguez somehow latched onto Harmon’s feet while keeping his own barely inside the circle for the 11th-hour reversal.

It was a sweet win for Dominguez, who staggered through last season on an ankle that required surgery last spring after the Masters. He’s the same wrestler who was shot during a break-in of his home 36 hours before the 2014 Masters, then was disqualified from the meet when proper medical clearance was not produced. With a pellet in his right arm and two screws in his left ankle, he can be called bionic.

“I can’t believe how I won. I was dead,” Dominguez said. “I saw my dad point to his heart, and that kept me going to the end.”

Turlock took home titles by Michael Marquez (113), Andres Orozco (160) and freshman Michael Jeffus (heavyweight). Danny Abate (145) annexed Central Catholic’s second title.

The rest of the winners included Johnny Juarez of Atwater (170), Justin Medeiros of Lodi (182) and Jacob Pavey of Golden Valley (220). Pavey, a senior, earned an 8-6 upset win over Calaveras’ Shane Torre, who was ranked sixth in the state.

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 10:36 PM with the headline "Reloading Oakdale dominates Riddle wrestling tournament."