Bruin wrestler David Gomez won a third place in the Trans Valley League Meet at Ripon High School on Saturday to advance to the Sub-Sections, which will be conducted near Marysville on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20.
Competing at 114 pounds, Gomez defeated a Waterford contender, Eddie Gironella.
"They were tied in regular time. It was down to sudden death and he had to get a takedown," said Riverbank coach Jerry Pief.
Two other Bruin wrestlers. Rodney Robbins at 130 pounds, and Tony Winstead at 135, won fifth places and will also attend the sub-sections as alternates. That means that if the other schools don't make their weights, they can compete in their place.
"The kids did pretty good for a bunch of freshmen at our first league tournament" said Pief.
Ralphie Stevens won his out-bracket early in the morning, but lost his second bout to Cody Vasconcellos of Central Catholic, who was the ultimate champion at 145 pounds. Stevens also lost his third round to Matt Cordova of Mariposa.
"Ralphie did not place, but he did well. He's only been wrestling two years," Pief added.
Originally, so short of numbers as to face cancellation, the Riverbank team has fielded 15 or 16 wrestlers this season after numbering five last year. But the squad got together too late to compete as a team and members have been competing only as individuals at tournaments and invitationals.
Competing at 114 pounds, Gomez defeated a Waterford contender, Eddie Gironella.
"They were tied in regular time. It was down to sudden death and he had to get a takedown," said Riverbank coach Jerry Pief.
Two other Bruin wrestlers. Rodney Robbins at 130 pounds, and Tony Winstead at 135, won fifth places and will also attend the sub-sections as alternates. That means that if the other schools don't make their weights, they can compete in their place.
"The kids did pretty good for a bunch of freshmen at our first league tournament" said Pief.
Ralphie Stevens won his out-bracket early in the morning, but lost his second bout to Cody Vasconcellos of Central Catholic, who was the ultimate champion at 145 pounds. Stevens also lost his third round to Matt Cordova of Mariposa.
"Ralphie did not place, but he did well. He's only been wrestling two years," Pief added.
Originally, so short of numbers as to face cancellation, the Riverbank team has fielded 15 or 16 wrestlers this season after numbering five last year. But the squad got together too late to compete as a team and members have been competing only as individuals at tournaments and invitationals.
