M-A grapplers snap 31-match streak of HMB

M-A rebounded after losing its first three matches of the night to win handily 51-27, though a thin Half Moon Bay lineup had something to do with the scoring differential. The Cougars forfeited three matches to M-A’s one, and utilized two girls’ wrestlers to fill out the card.

M-A would have won nonetheless, albeit likely by a slimmer margin.

“I was happy that even without the forfeits, we were well enough to beat them,” M-A head coach Charles Washington Jr. said.

As it was, though, M-A senior Justin Garza clinched the match in the 184-pound match, scoring a pin in the second round over Eduardo Lopez, executing a head and arms throw before working his way to a pin.

M-A also scored wins at 128s, with senior Josh Meyers winning via pin in the third round over Donovan Farnsworth; at 134s with Liam Dunn winning via decision over Bo Volynsky-Krug; at 147s with Cyrus Durham winning with a third-round pin over Daniela Corona; at 154s, with Bryan Bekemeyer winning via pin in the third round over Tyler Lamirande; and at 172s, with senior Nick Wong winning via late third-round pin over Carson Anderson.

“I believe they were all proud of themselves,” Washington said. “They were all pumped just knowing we worked hard in preparation for Half Moon Bay, knowing they are a powerhouse. … I knew this was an obvious test for ourselves and where we are and they pulled through.”

HMB jumped out an early lead, winning its first three matches. At 108s, Carmen Ramirez won via forfeit. Then at 115s, Tommy Sendino earned a first-round pin against Peter Sapountzis. And at 122s, Fernando Marquez-Diaz won via 4-0 decision over junior Julian Kim.

“I definitely thought we had a chance still,” Washington said. “There wasn’t any doubt in my mind we weren’t going to get any victories. … What I was really proud of was JV kids stepping up and getting pins.”

Indeed, M-A called up three underclassmen to fill out its roster, including the sophomore Sapountzis, and two freshmen, Bekemeyer and Durham.

Durham and Bekemeyer both trailed on the scoreboard in their matches, but were each able to rebound late and score victories via pins.

“Both Cyrus and Bryan were wrestling tough opponents, and they were showing they were wrestling tough opponents,” Washington said. “But they were showing they were able to come back and win their matches against tough wrestlers.”

Still, M-A has been fronted all season by Meyers at 128s. The senior recently took first place at the Jim Root Memorial Wrestling Classic and is currently ranked No. 16 at 132s in the Central Coast Section.

“He wrestled hard and he led by example, and he basically just gave energy to the team,” Washington said. “And I think that was a big turning point for the team.”