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Two Grapplers Take Fourth At Tournament
0108 Gutierrez
Bruin wrestler Nathan Gutierrez, competing at 138 pounds in Saturdays Mel Focha Tournament in Escalon, has a solid hold on his Patterson opponent here and went on to win this match by a 9-2 decision over Enrique Romeo. Marg Jackson/The News

A weekend trip to the nearby Escalon High School gym saw a pair of Riverbank wrestlers come away with some solid wins.

Esperanza Garcia and Ryan Stiner each finished with fourth place honors at the Mel Focha JV Tournament hosted by the Cougars.

“The rest of my wrestlers didn’t place,” said first year coach Dean Duivenvoorden, a walk on for the Bruins.

He said the team has been to a few matches and tournaments already this season and will face off with Ripon High on the road Wednesday, Jan. 8 for a Trans-Valley League meet.

“This Saturday we have a varsity and JV tournament at Calaveras High,” the coach said, adding that the wrestlers are working hard to improve each time out on the mats.