Paced by Anthony (AJ) Cress who won a showdown against fellow state champion Adrian Godinez of Bakersfield, the impressive Chabot men's wrestling team took third place in the KLS Air Express Wrestling Tournament at Sacramento City on Sept. 15.
It was a heady effort by coach Steve Siroy's Gladiators in the first tournament of the season.
Cress, the reigning 174-pound CCCAA state champion, took a thrilling 8-4 decision victory over Godinez in the 197-pound championship match. Godinez won the 184-pound state title last year.
With his victory in one of the tournament's marquee matchups, Cress, a former Antioch High star, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament.
In the battle with Godinez, Cress scored the first takedown to lead 2-0. Godinez escaped to end the first round trailing 2-1. In the second round, Godinez tied the match with another escape and pulled ahead 4-2 with a takedown. In the third round, Cress escaped and trailed 4-3. With about 20 seconds left, Cress seized the victory with a 2-point takedown and 2-point near fall. He also was awarded a point for riding time.
Other Chabot wrestlers that placed were Brandon Julien (133), Isaiah Palomino (133), Eric Murdoch (157) and Michael Barajas (174), all taking fourth place. Aidan Milligan (133) and Kevin Garcia (165) both placed fifth.
Chabot results
133 – Brandon Julien (Chabot) lost by Major Dec. 21 – 8 to Jacob Hiller (Shasta)
133 – Aidan Milligan (Chabot) tied for 5th with Jared Callison (Bakersfield)
141 – Isaiah Palomino (Chabot) lost by injuring default to Anthony Chavez (Fresno City)
157 – Eric Murdoch (Chabot) lost by Fall 2:51 to Ezra Clark (Skyline)
165 – Kevin Garcia (Chabot) tied for 5th with Manny Curry (Sacramento City)
174 – Michael Barajas (Chabot) lost by Fall 3:44 to Miquel Ruiz (Fresno City College)
197 – Anthony Cress (Chabot ) winner by Dec. 8 – 4 against Adrian Godinez (Bakersfield)
Team Scores: 1, Fresno City College 143 pts; 2, Bakersfield 78; 3, Chabot 66; 4, Santa Rosa 43; 5, Skyline 29.