Wrestling - Meet Highlights 2009

Nov. 4, 2009

Sierra 38, Santa Rosa Jr. College 2

The Sierra College wrestling team was back on the mat in Big 8 Conference action. The Wolverines had several young wrestlers step up and have big matches for the Wolverines.

Santa Rosa started the match with -1 for a wrestler coming out on the mat with his earrings on. With this win the Wolverines remain undefeated in the Big 8.

The next match will be the final home match of the year and it will be against Sacramento City College. It will determine who wins the Big 8 Conference title. The match will be Wednesday, November 11th at 7 p.m. The match will be live streamed by Nick Saldivar and Goldminewrestlingclub.org/live_stream so if you can't make it out you can still follow the action live.

Some of the top performers were:

• 133 - Garret Heikeius, wins 6-9
• 141 - Norman Richmond, 19-8
• 149 - Claude Claybrook, 11-4
• 157 - Aaron Pickard, pin
• 165 - Bruce Arndt, pin
• 174 - Nick Gil, 9-1
• 285 - James McGuire, 2nd round pin

Oct. 31, 2009

Meathead Movers Invitational Tournament

The Sierra College wrestling team traveled to Cuesta College to compete in the Meathead Movers Invitational Tournament. Most of the team moved up a weight class to compete and still finished 4th in the tournament team race.

The outstanding performers for the Wolverines were: Brandon Benvenuti moved up from is normal spot at 125 pounds to 133 and finished 3rd.

Norman Richmond moved up from his 133 pound spot to wrestle the number 1 ranked and undefeated wrestler in the state. Norman dominated the competition and had 2 pins and a 16-11 win in the finals. With Norman's victory he was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament.

Vlad moved up from his normal 149 pound class to compete in the 157 pound weight class where he placed 2nd.

Jesus Chavez moved up from his normal 184 pound weight class to the 197 pound class to place 4th.

The Wolverines will next be in action Wednesday November 4th in a Big 8 conference match vs Santa Rosa 7 p.m. at the Sierra College gym.

Oct. 28, 2009

Sierra 32, Modesto Jr. College 9

The Sierra College wrestling team wrestled Modesto College in Big 8 action. Some of the key performers were 133 Brandon Benvenuti with a 13-5 win and Aaron Pickard at 157 with a first round pin. Bruce Arndt, Nick Gill and Cameron Mcneer also had big wins. With the 32-9 victory the Wolverines move to 4-0 in the Big 8 Conference. The Wolverines will next be in action at the Meathead Movers Invitational Tournament held by Cuesta College

Oct. 17, 2009

Northern California Dual Championships

The Sierra college wrestling team took the mats Saturday to compete in the Northern California Dual Championships. Sierra has reached the finals every year for the past 6 years and placed first 4 of those years.

Sierra competed without a few of there top wrestlers and still competed very well. Sierra finished 3rd out of 9 teams. Sierra will be in action next in the North South All Star meet.

• 1st round: Sierra 42, Delta 3
• 2nd round: Sierra 40, Chabot 12
• 3rd round: Sierra 15, Sac City 21
• 4th round: Sierra 11, Fresno 30

Oct. 10, 2009

West Valley Invitational Tournament

The Wolverines were back in action at the West Valley Invitational Tournament. Sierra competed without some of their starting team but still managed to place 2nd behind Fresno City College.

Sierra had several freshman wrestlers step into the lineup and have outstanding performances. Brandon Benvenuti placed 3rd at 125. Garret Hekuis placed at his first tournament for the Wolverines with a 5th place finish.

Mike Vasser placed 2nd due to an injury default in the finals. Freshman Bruce Arndt stepped in and placed 3rd for his first tournament placing. Nick Gill placed 3rd and Jesus Chavez finished the day of with a 2nd place finish.

Sierra College will be in action next Saturday in Santa Rosa for the Nor Cal Duals.

Team Scores

• Fresno 160.5
• Sierra 116.5
• Cerritos 89
• Shasta 79.5
• Rio Hondo 74

Oct. 7, 2009

Sierra 39, San Joaquin Delta 17

Sierra 44, Lassen College 11

The Sierra College Wrestling team traveled to Delta for double dual in the Big 8 Conference with Lassen and host Delta. Sierra started the night off with Delta and came away with a 39-17 victory.

In the final match of the night Sierra wrestled Lassen College and won 44-11. Several Wolverines stepped up and had outstanding performances.

• Brandon Benvenuti remained undefeated on the season with another pin.
• Mike Vasser used 11 takedowns and then a pin to dominate his opponent.
• Garret Hekhuis wrestled in his first varsity match and made the most of hit by getting a pin in the 2nd period.
• Tyler Russo won his first match of the year by a fall in the first period.
• Cameron Mcneer and Gabe Lanthier also stepped in and won big matches by way of pins.

Sierra moves to 3-0 in the Big 8 Conference. The Wolverines will travel to Saratoga to compete in the West Valley Tournament oOn Saturday October 10th. The tournament will start at 9 a.m.

Delta vs. Sierra

• 125 Mercado (Las) win over Stundury 22-5
• 133 Martin (Las) lost to Benuevutis by pin
• 141 Tripp (Las) lost to Russo by pin
• 149 Smursir (Sie) by forfiet
• 157 Vassar by decision Arnol (Las) 26-9
• 165 Herrera by decision Madison (Las) 7-5
• 174 Ardnt (Sie) by foreit
• 184 Cook (Sie) by forfiet
• 197 McNair (Sie) by forfiet
• HWt Carmon (Las) by pin over McGuire
• Sierra 44-11

Lassen vs. Sierra

• 125 Sok (Del) by decision over Stunbury 21-3
• 133 Hekeuis (Sie) by pin over Wilkenson
• 141 Seang (Del) by pin over Russo
• 149 Sm (Sie) by forfiet
• 157 Herrera (Sie) by forfiet
• 165 Lanthier (Sie) by pin
• 174 Soto (Del) by decision Armdt 5-2
• 184 Chavez by pin over Lang (Del)
• 197 McNair by pin over Padilla (Del)
• Hwt Basra (Del) by pin over McGuire
• Sierra 39 -17

Oct. 3, 2009

Santa Ana Tournament

Team Scores:

1. Santa Ana 179
2. Sierra 137.5
3. Fresno 106
4. Cerritos 96
5. Sacramento City 89

The Sierra College wrestling team traveled to Santa Ana to compete in its first tournament of the season. The Wolverines still had some wrestlers up a weight class but showed that they are ready to make a run for another state title.

With the top teams in the state all competing at this tournament the Wolverines crowned 3 Champions, 2nd Runner up and a 4th place finisher.

Brandon Benvenuti won his first tournament championship for Sierra and was named MVP of the tournament. Norman Richmond took the mat after a year off and gave notice that he is back. Norman dominated the competition and didn't allow a single offensive point against him on his way to his title.

Freshman Nick Gill showed that he is ready to compete after a red shirt year by wining 4 matches on the way to his first tournament championship for the Wolverines.

Mike Vasser moved up a weight class and had an outstanding tournament with a 2nd place finish. Freshman Jesus Chavez had an outstanding tournament and lost a close match in the finals to take home a runner up honors in his first college tournament.

The Wolverines will be back on the mat Wednesday in a Big 8 Conference match with Delta and Lassen College. Wrestling will start at 4 p.m.

Sept 30, 2009

Sierra 34, Shasta College 13

The 2008 California State Dual Champion Wolverines took the mat for the first time this season in a Big 8 Conference match against Shasta College.

2007 State Champion Norman Richmond wrestled his first match after sitting out last year due to an injury. Norman started of with a pin of top rated Derrick Ellis at 141.

2008 All-American Mike Vasser moved up one weight class to wrestle top ranked Tim Navarrete. Mike won the match 5-2. The score was close but Mike dominated every part of the match.

Freshman Aaron Pickard moved up one weight class and dominated his opponent 15-5. Sierra College won the dual with a final score of 34-13.

Sierra will be in action Saturday at the Santa Ana tournament.