OROVILLE – The Oroville Hornets lost a very tight 32-35 match against the Eastmont Wildcats.
Duke Sykes in is first bout of the season opened the evening with a hard-fought 6-4 exhibition bout. In varsity action Davis Castillo piled up a 13-2 Major Decision which was followed by a forfeit victory by Alex Kelly. Alex Alvarez also stacked up a 10-2 Major Decision, Nick Perez added a second round pin and Mike Lynch won by forfeit.
Taylor Maldonado was a JV fill in who helped the Hornet cause greatly with a third round pin. Gabe Beltran finished the evening with an exhibition bout where he collected a pin.
At the Saturday Pateros League Mixer (Oroville, Springdale-Wellpinit, Liberty Bell, Pateros, Waterville and non-league Chelan), Davis Castillo (119) pulled off a huge upset over number-two-in-the-state Skelton from Liberty Bell to greatly help his District Seed. Davis added another victory over Osbourn of Springdale-Wellpinit. Enrique Martinez (112) won his only league bout of the day with a 12-2 Major Decision. Alex Kelly lost a bout at 119# and won a bout at 125#.
“Gil Ildelfonso (130) wrestled tough but lost both of his bouts. Alex Alvarez went 2-1 losing a close 5-3 bout to Kenny of Springdale-Wellpint,” said Hornet Coach Chuck Ricevuto. “Nick Perez (140) disposed of both of his foes with pins.”
Mike Lynch (145) had a tough day going 1-2 winning a hard-fought overtime bout in an extremely “loaded” weight class, according to Ricevuto
David Sanchez (152) lost twice while Leo Delgado (160) lost his only bout of the day. Duke Sykes (160) wrestled very well going 2-1. His only loss was by a single point. Taylor Maldonado (160) continued his win streak by going 2-0 for the day with two more pins. Tyler Herrera (171) suffered his only league loss of the year in his only bout of the day. Eric Herrera (189) lost his only bout of the day while Gabe Beltran (275) won both of this league bouts and lost a bout to non-league Chelan.
“This concludes the regular season and Oroville High School will be hosting the District Wrestling Tournament next Saturday, Feb. 6. Come out and support the Hornet Wrestlers who are the defending District Champions,” said Ricevuto.
