Just two tournaments into the young season the Riverbank Bruins wrestling team may not have an abundance of members on this season's squad, but the Bruins who are in camp surely had an impact on the Beyer and Stagg Tournaments to open the season.
The Beyer Invitational saw two Bruin wrestlers close the tournament with top-3 finishes, including a first-place title for Jesus Cerda and a second place finish from Gabe Flores.
Cerda flourished in his matches taking home the 165-pound title in the 20-plus-team tournament.
"It was a tough tournament, with a lot of tough wrestlers," Cerda said. "I just practiced hard going into the match, and things went my way."
Cerda's success did not stop in Modesto, as the junior fared well in the Stagg High Tournament Dec. 15 in Stockton. Cerda's hot start continued with a third-place finish in the tournament, taking a back seat to Riverbank heavyweight standout Zack Fisher. Fisher had his way through the heavyweight tournament field, pinning each of his opponents in less than a minute.
"He really dominated everybody," Cerda said of his teammate. "I didn't think he would be this dominant this early because we haven't been as intense as we should be in practice. But it's obvious he's going to have a good season."
Fisher feels his preparation for the upcoming season will be an advantage for the heavyweight wrestler looking to have a solid run into the postseason.
"It was pretty easy out there (Stagg Tournament)," Fisher said. "Each of my matches only lasted about 36 seconds. I came into the match really confident about what I was going to do, and I just did my stuff.
"This season I'm going to work hard and try to get to State," Fisher continued. "Maybe I can win league for my team and show that Riverbank is here. We're going to make a program out here."
The Bruins will suit up Dec. 21-22 for the Western Invitational held at Modesto Junior College. The 2-day tournament will feature a 32-man field for the wrestlers to fight through.
The Beyer Invitational saw two Bruin wrestlers close the tournament with top-3 finishes, including a first-place title for Jesus Cerda and a second place finish from Gabe Flores.
Cerda flourished in his matches taking home the 165-pound title in the 20-plus-team tournament.
"It was a tough tournament, with a lot of tough wrestlers," Cerda said. "I just practiced hard going into the match, and things went my way."
Cerda's success did not stop in Modesto, as the junior fared well in the Stagg High Tournament Dec. 15 in Stockton. Cerda's hot start continued with a third-place finish in the tournament, taking a back seat to Riverbank heavyweight standout Zack Fisher. Fisher had his way through the heavyweight tournament field, pinning each of his opponents in less than a minute.
"He really dominated everybody," Cerda said of his teammate. "I didn't think he would be this dominant this early because we haven't been as intense as we should be in practice. But it's obvious he's going to have a good season."
Fisher feels his preparation for the upcoming season will be an advantage for the heavyweight wrestler looking to have a solid run into the postseason.
"It was pretty easy out there (Stagg Tournament)," Fisher said. "Each of my matches only lasted about 36 seconds. I came into the match really confident about what I was going to do, and I just did my stuff.
"This season I'm going to work hard and try to get to State," Fisher continued. "Maybe I can win league for my team and show that Riverbank is here. We're going to make a program out here."
The Bruins will suit up Dec. 21-22 for the Western Invitational held at Modesto Junior College. The 2-day tournament will feature a 32-man field for the wrestlers to fight through.
