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CHS, CV grapplers falls short of reaching State
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Ceres High's Tony Chavez, Steven Chavez, Tony Spinella and Curtis Hulstine, and Central Valley's Mike Tubera, Victor Tubera and Louis Bracamonte all saw their seasons come to an end at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Wrestling Tournament last week in Stockton.

Tony Chavez came remarkably close to realizing a goal he's sought for four years. With a bid to the California Interscholastic Federation State Meet on the line, the senior fell 1-0 to Ripon's Ryan Mackey in the seventh-place match of the 152-pound weight class.

"It's heartbreaking to know that it's over," Tony said.

Mackey held off Chavez after breaking a scoreless tie with an escape in the final period.

"Someone had to lose and it happened to be Tony," Bulldogs coach Jon Nowicki said. "That guy just wrestled a little bit better in that match."

"I was pretty upset because I knew I could have sealed it (a state berth) the match before," Chavez said.

Tony appeared on his way to victory against Folsom's Adam Lymath. Ahead 6-2, Chavez ended up losing by pin (1:32) to the eventual fourth-place finisher. A win would have guaranteed Tony a top six finish.

"I got caught on my back," he said.

Chavez finished in eighth place with a 4-3 mark at the Masters Meet. He went 1-2 last season.

"It sucks that he didn't go to state," Nowicki said. "I definitely think he has the skill. He just made a couple mistakes and it cost him."

"I sure wish I could have went further," Tony said.

Chavez reeled off wins over Beyer's Luis Rebolledo (14-3), Escalon's Charlie McDonald (5-2) and Elk Grove's Tylar Clarke (2-1) after suffering a 10-5 loss to Sheldon's Julius Wright, who punched his ticket to state with a fifth-place finish. Tony opened the tournament with a 15-0 technical fall victory against Rio Americano's Chris Kern.

Chavez posted a 38-10 record on the year. He placed first at divisionals and second in league.

"He's accomplished a lot in his career," Nowicki said. "I'm definitely proud of him. Hopefully, he continues to wrestle."

"It's been really fun," Chavez said. "I loved every second of it. I definitely want to stay with the sport. It's been a big part of my life since I was little."

Twin brother Steven Chavez finished in the top 12 with a 3-2 record at 171 pounds. He beat Summerville's Tyler Domser (9-6), Hogan's Mike Haman (9-3) and Buhach Colony's James Kelleher (5-1). Steven lost by pin (0:56) to Woodcreek's Garrett Jones and by decision (6-4) to Vacaville's John Feaster. Feaster (fifth) and Jones (sixth) both qualified for state.

Ceres High sophomores Curtis Hulstine (112) and Tony Spinella (145) compiled identical 2-0 records.

Hulstine lost by major decision (10-1) to McNair's Aaron Ceballos and decision (5-0) to Roseville's Dylan Jankovich.

Spinella lost by pin to Union Mine's Nick DeKalb (0:35) and Elk Grove's Austin Hedman (3:04). Hedman advanced to state with a fifth-place finish.

"They (Curtis and Tony) were pretty tentative," Nowicki said. "They're not going to be in awe of the situation next year."

Mike, Victor and Louis compiled identical records of 1-2 at the Masters Meet.

Mike edged Rodriguez's Jon Champine 2-0 in overtime in the first round of the 119-pound weight class. He lost by decision (9-6) to Merced's Ray Valenzuela and pin (4:50) to Vacaville's Tyler Johnson. Johnson took third, while Valenzuela finished eighth.

"I'm not happy at all," Mike said. "I should have done way better."

At 140 pounds, Victor beat Buhach Colony's Miguel Torres 5-4 and lost 16-0 to Vacaville's Aaron Hendricks in consolation bracket competition. Mike's younger brother lost 20-4 to Folsom's Jordan Hart in the opening round of the tournament. Hart and Hendricks placed fifth and seventh, respectively.

"It was a good experience," Victor said. "I'll do way better next year. I'm going to take it more seriously."

Louis earned a hardfought 9-7 victory over Argonaut's John Edmonson in the first round of their 152-pound showdown. Bracamonte lost by pin to Pitman's Cesar Padilla (1:55) and Will C. Wood's Taylor Marion (0:50).

Ceres took 56th in the team standings. Central Valley tied for 80th. Vacaville, Central Catholic and Ponderosa placed first, second and third, respectively.