Billy Ferreira exploded off the mat in celebration midway through the second period after scoring the pin in Capuchino’s boys’ wrestling dual meet at El Camino.
The senior used a double leg takedown and went into a near-side cradle to pin El Camino’s Lucas Valdez in the 177-pound match, and clinch the Mustangs’ 48-26 victory under the spotlight Tuesday night in a battle of Peninsula Athletic League Bay Division unbeatens.
With the win, Ferreira improves to 9-2 on the season.
“He was pumped,” Cap coach Jerin Oca said. “Last season he got hurt with a really bad knee injury. He’s been strengthening this whole offseason. He can take anybody with that double and he proved it [Tuesday] night.”
The Mustangs (3-0 PAL Bay) entered the dual meet in a three-way tie for first place with El Camino and Carlmont in the PAL Bay Division. Carlmont (4-0) kept pace with a 71-9 home win over Aragon, becoming the first Bay team to reach four dual wins on the year. El Camino (3-1) falls to third place in the eight-team division.
Cap and Carlmont meet in the penultimate dual meet of the season, Tuesday, Jan. 29, in San Bruno.
“Right now, we’re two relatively young programs coming after each other, so it’s exciting,” Oca said.
Cap opened the dual by fielding Olivia Lewis at 108s, pivoting the second-year varsity grappler from the girls’ roster after an injury to the Mustangs’ regular boys’ lightweight.
Lewis, who wrestles at 115s for the girls’ team, had to drop weight in order to make her debut with the boys’ team. It didn’t slow her down, as the junior led off the night with a pin to give the Mustangs an early 6-0 lead.
“She was excited because she knew it was a big moment,” Oca said. “She was helping that team win the dual and with that championship. So, sending her our for that boys’ match, all the team was pumped.”
After El Camino’s Sage Gon won a 7-0 decision over Ronin Blackner at 122s to cut the score to 12-3, Cap took firm control of the scoreboard by winning three straight matches — junior Jesse Chavez scored a pin at 128; junior Branden Siu earned a 12-7 decision over Kaeyo Nadonza at 134; and junior Ayden Oseguedo scored a pin at 140.
A 10-4 decision by Cap’s Alexis Sanchez over Anthony Cierra at 167 put the Mustangs up 36-14, setting the stage for Ferreira’s fiery victory.
Cap also scored wins from: Tirso Cabitac, via forfeit at 115; Kekoa Kaiwi via pin at 152; and Kaua Vasconcelos via pin at 217.
El Camino scored wins from: Keanu Perez winning via tech fall at 146; James Newton-Busalacci via pin at 159; Bradley Galang via pin at 192; and Davian Martinez-Bejarano via pin at 287.
In other PAL Bay Division action, Half Moon Bay (2-2) claimed a 57-18 home win over San Mateo (1-3).
TUESDAY
Boys’ wrestling
Burlingame 42, Mills 41
Burlingame 42, Terra Nova 30
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The Panthers (4-1 PAL Ocean) earned two dual victories in a tri-meet at Terra Nova (2-4), including a nail-biter over Mills (3-3). Ravi Krishnan won both his matches at 167 via first-round falls.
Westmoor 42, Woodside 39
The Rams (3-1 PAL Ocean) earned the win at Woodside (1-4), overcoming wins via fall for the Wildcats by Jaxon Lee at 126 and Sam Dearing at 165.
In other PAL Ocean action ...
Mills 48, Terra Nova 24
Girls’ wrestling
San Mateo 48, Half Moon Bay 24
Zofia Patel at 110, Sara Cantillo Medina at 115, and Hannah Villareale at 125 each won via pin to keep San Mateo (4-0 PAL Ocean) in control of first place in the PAL Ocean Division in a battle of unbeatens at Half Moon Bay (3-1).
El Camino 36, Capuchino 0
The Lady Colts (2-2 PAL Bay) earned the shutout at home over Capuchino (0-3). EC’s Raelene Nadonza won via second-period pin at 112.
In other PAL Bay action ...
Carlmont 30, Aragon 18
SATURDAY
Serra’s Garcia podiums at 5 Counties
Serra junior Sebastian Garcia claimed fourth place at 165 at the statewide 5 Counties Invitational at Fountain Valley High School in LA County.
Garcia opened with three straight wins, including a 22-13 major decision in the quarterfinals. After falling in overtime to Mountain View-Arizona’s Brody McClure semifinal, 8-5 sudden victory, Garcia earned a win over Garces High’s Keanu Garcia to reach the third-place match. Calvary Chapel-Santa Ana’s Cross Rodriguez won the third-place match via major decision 10-2.
Serra placed 21st overall in the 103-team field, scoring 75 points. Each of the Padres finished with a .500 record of better at the tournament: Luca Gordon, 106, 4-2 record; Ryder Doleschal, 113, 3-2; Doinic Andrini, 144, 5-2; Leon Bleess, 175, 3-2; Luke Hanna, 190, 2-2; Solomon Zumbado, 285, 3-2.
Gilroy won the team championship with 321 1/2 points.
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