Ceres High’s Parker Borges and Central Valley’s Sal Almazan, Rotceh Mendez, Urijah Krigbaum, Breighdon Swenson and Alijah Jackson traveled to Stockton this past week to compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships.
Borges, Almazan, Mendez, Krigbaum, Swenson and Jackson had their seasons and/or careers end at the Feb. 20-21 event at Adventist Health Arena.
The top five finishers in each weight class advanced to the CIF State Meet.
“We knew it was going to be extremely tough,” Bulldogs’ head coach Adam Borges said. “There are no easy matches. You don’t get there (to Masters) by just showing up. You have to qualify.”
“Wrestling is a tough sport,” Hawks’ leader Rob Beckhart said. “It’s very humbling.”
Parker Borges suited up for Ceres High for the final time.
The senior compiled a 2-2 record in the 144-pound weight bracket.
He re-aggravated a Grade 2 left-ankle sprain during his second match.
“He put some ice on it, re-taped it and went out there and fought with every ounce that he had,” coach Borges said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him for that. I was very impressed with what he was able to do on one leg. He couldn’t drive off his ankle. As a wrestler, having an ankle injury is one of the toughest to get over.”
Parker Borges beat Grant’s Axel Lauredo (pin, 1:44) and Union Mine’s Ryder Degmetich (decision, 3-2).
“Our expectation was to try to get on the podium,” Adam Borges said. “He fell a little short. He gave his all on the mat. He has no regrets. He did everything he could. He didn’t quit. It was amazing to see him gut it out. It would have been nice to see what he could have accomplished if he was healthy.”
Parker Borges had a doctor’s appointment with an orthopedist on Monday.
“He’ll be in a boot for another six weeks,” coach Borges said.
Parker Borges enjoyed his best season to date with Ceres High.
He compiled a 37-9 overall record.
A two-time Masters qualifier, Parker Borges had his most productive showing at this year’s tournament.
He accomplished a pair of firsts in his prep wrestling career by winning Divisional (D4) and Western Athletic Conference titles.
He took first at the Ceres Invitational for the second year in a row and second at Oakdale’s James Riddle Classic during the regular season.
He competed with a left ankle injury during the postseason.
Parker Borges had over 100 career wins.
“He was determined to succeed this year,” coach Borges said. “He cut out distractions. He stayed focused on wrestling.”
Almazan won two of four matches in the 285-pound weight division at Masters.
“Sal had a good shot at going to state,” Beckhart said. “Unfortunately, it just wasn’t his day. He wrestled really well. He lost to two kids who are state-ranked and qualified for state.”
Almazan beat Bear Creek’s Ayden Minjarez (pin, 1:06), Ponderosa’s James Friedman (decision, 4-0).
“Not the result I wanted but huge improvement from last year,” Almazan said in a post on Instagram.
Almazan amassed a 33-4 overall record while enjoying a career-best year with the Hawks as a senior.
He took first at the Division-IV Championships.
He won titles at the WAC finals and Ceres Invitational.
He placed second at the Firebaugh Westside and Apple Cider tournaments.
Almazan had a career-record of 87-44.
“I’m really proud of him,” Beckhart said. “He earned a spot in the varsity lineup sophomore year and got a lot better. He’s athletic. He moves around.”
Mendez compiled a 1-2 record as a 132-pound grappler at Masters.
The senior beat Twelve Bridges’ Ryan Perez (technical fall, 18-0).
“He was in a very difficult weight class,” Beckhart said.
Mendez also experienced his most-successful season to date at Central Valley.
He compiled a 38-13 overall record.
Mendez claimed a silver medal at Divisionals.
He won bronze at the WAC finals.
He finished first at the Ceres Invitational, second at Turlock’s Bulldog Classic, third at the Firebaugh Westside Tournament, and fifth at the Apple Cider event.
Mendez had a career record of 69-35.
“He’s only been wrestling for three years,” Beckhart said. “The fact that he was able to accomplish what he did is pretty remarkable.”
Krigbaum (138 pounds), Swenson (126s) and Jackson (106s) all compiled 0-2 records in their respective weight brackets.
“It was great experience for them,” Beckhart said.
