Midway into the season, the area’s high school wrestlers are moving up the rankings.
The California Wrestler released its latest Sac-Joaquin Section rankings after the weekend’s flurry of tournaments, and eight reside at the top spot: Brayden Abell of Oakdale (106), Izzy Tubera of Pitman (120), Sammy Silveria of Pitman (145), Kendall LaRosa of Pitman (152), Henry Porter of Oakdale (126), Gabe Martinez of Oakdale (170), Cody Golding of Oakdale (182) and Elliot Houghten of Calaveras (195).
Porter, a sophomore, also is ranked No. 1 in the state. Both he and teammate Martinez were state finalists in 2018. Abell is third in the state.
Reputations were burnished after last weekend’s 23rd Tim Brown Invitational at Cal Expo. Rolling to weight-class titles were Golding, Oakdale’s Martinez and Michael Torres (109), Donivan Giangregorio of Calaveras (185) and Turlock heavyweight Michael Jeffus.
Oakdale, ranked ninth in the state, was edged by Spanish Springs of Sparks, Nev., by 2.5 points for team honors at the Tim Brown. Turlock placed third and Calaveras was seventh.
Others ranked in the top three in the section included Michael Torres of Oakdale (third at 106), John Valdez of Grace Davis (third at 113), Ricky Torres of Oakdale (second at 138), Kodiak Stephens of Bret Harte (second at 170), Jaron Azevedo of Pitman (second at 195) and Jeffus (second at 285).
Stephens, Golding and Adrian Heras of Turlock (129) reached the finals at the Tim Brown. Golding decisioned Houghton, 3-2. Martinez topped Stephens 8-4.
