Oakdale’s Harmon answers critics, wins Masters wrestling meet

Oakdale High School sophomore Bronson Harmon brings an upbeat and determined attitude each time to the mat.

It doesn’t matter to him that he’s not picture perfect with each move, or that he’s constantly underestimated. He now holds evidence to the contrary.

Harmon is a Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion.

“I did it for my team and my family,” Harmon said as he clutched the winning 152-pound bracket. “I want people to know I’m no joke.”

Harmon and Pitman’s Adam Velasquez (120) stood on the podium’s highest perch when the two-day meet rumbled to an end Saturday at Stockton Arena. The Stanislaus District will send 25 qualifiers to the CIF State Championship next weekend in Bakersfield, where Harmon – 0-2 at Masters a year ago – hopes to show off his noteworthy improvement.

The top six in each weight class earned their spot at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena.

Two weeks ago, Harmon (38-7) lost at the Valley Oak League finals and, at the time, a Masters title probably seemed like a bridge too far. He rebounded, however, by winning the D-III at Oakdale, the springboard to his 5-0 in Stockton.

Harmon dazzled Saturday. He vaulted into the final with a 7-6 overtime decision over Noah Blake of team champion Del Oro of Loomis, then parlayed four takedowns into a solid 11-7 victory over Jeff Skyrud of Folsom.

The exciting win over Blake clearly was his best victory, but Harmon demonstrated clutch form at the exact right time in the final.

“I knew he (Skyrud) was a good scrambler,” Harmon said. “I stayed outside and took singles (single-leg takedowns).”

Oakdale sent three to the Masters finals – only Harmon won – as the Mustangs finished in seventh place. Senior Trevor Williams (132), who will pack his bags for Bakersfield for the fourth time, dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Lawrence Saenz of Vacaville.

Williams thought he scored the winning takedown in the final moments, but the officials disagreed.

“That’s life. What are you going to do?” he said. “To be a four-time state qualifier is a blessing. That’s where the big show is. It is time for me to get that medal.”

Oakdale freshman Ricky Torres (126) no doubt gained some high-end experience the hard way when he was pinned in the third round by state No. 3-ranked Devan Turner of Dixon. Freshman Dustin Chavez, third at 106, and junior Jake Abeyta, fifth at 113, completed the state-bound Oakdale quintet.

Velasquez (46-4), arguably the district’s best hope for success next week, rolled to the title at 120 with a convincing 5-2 win over Aaron Rugnao of Bear Creek. In the semifinal, Velasquez pinned Livingston senior Jose Sanchez late in the first round.

Central Catholic senior Danny Abbate (138), like Williams, came close to getting the decisive takedown in the final against Jack Ramalia of Granite Bay. Instead, in a topsy-turvy finish, Ramalia was awarded the points for a 3-1 win.

Central Catholic’s Steven Abbate (126), Danny’s brother, picked up a third-place medal by beating Alejandro Lanza of Benicia 6-2. In the semifinal, Steven was teched by Turner.

Escalon will take season-long stars Cameron Dubois (160) and Kyle Jimenez (120) to Bakersfield. Dubois, teched by eventual champion Jason Bergquist of Folsom in the semifinal, recovered with two third-round takedowns for a 4-2 decision over Charles Hubbard of Casa Roble for third. Jimenez placed sixth.

Also continuing his season is Ripon heavyweight Tristan Smith, who finished third. Gregori junior Mike Villavicencio (145), one of three brothers at Masters, will represent the Modesto City Schools next week after his sixth.

No one, however, appeared to enjoy his Masters success more than Harmon.

“People have underestimated me my whole life,” he said. “I heard it, ‘Too small, not athletically gifted, don’t have the heart.’ ”

Chuck those words into the trash can, Bronson.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Oakdale’s Harmon answers critics, wins Masters wrestling meet."