Trojan wrestling happy with season-ending dual meet result

EL DORADO HILLS — Oak Ridge High wrestling coach Casey Rhyan was all smiles Wednesday night for many reasons.

The program honored 11 seniors at their final home match and last Delta River League dual meet against Pleasant Grove. Eight seniors won, including four by first-round pins, as the Trojans registered a 62-9 victory.

Oak Ridge ended up 3-2 in league.

The Eagles won the first two matches before Troy took the next 12. After Trojan Andrew Gularte (122-pounds) won his bout by a technical fall, 17-0, Oak Ridge went on its pin rampage.

"The kids came out aggressive," Rhyan said. "We talked about being confident, coming out aggressive. We haven't done that (prior to Wednesday's match)."

The four pins were by Xavier Longson (128) in 41 seconds, Trey Reese (134) in 44 seconds, Cameron Miller (140) in 50 seconds and Taylor Ellerman (147) in 55 seconds.

"I tried my favorite shot," said Ellerman, referring to the fireman's carry he used to send Van Steinberg back to his seat. "I decided to take it as fast as I could. I dropped him over and got him on his back."

Ellerman and his teammates were thrilled with the four consecutive first-round pins.

"We were really happy," Ellerman said. "We weren't expecting that. When the first one (Longson's pin) happened, we all got pumped up."

Rhyan is hoping for continued success once the postseason begins, a tradition in the Trojans' wrestling program.

"If you look historical at our post-season, we always seem to do better," Rhyan said. "That's what we're focused on. That's what we're trying to do and I think we will. I think that's the first time we've had our entire line-up on the mat. I think we're going to go into the league meet healthy. I'm looking for big things from them in the post-season.

Other Oak Ridge grapplers winning their matches were: Ali Atebar (154) by technical fall, 21-6, Keaton Subjeck (160) by first period pin in 40 seconds, Huge Ellerman (172) by forfeit, Eric Rohrer's (184) 14-5 decision, Preston Dean's (197) pin in 30 seconds, Xavier Lopez (222) 9-5 decision and Jacob Proul's (HWT) 2-1 decision.

Seniors Gularte, Reese, Miller, the Ellerman twins, Rohrer, Dean, Lopez, Sarabjit Singh and Andrew Pearson were honored for their contributions.

"That felt really good (nine seniors winning their matches)," Rhyan said. "I was very happy for them. They are wrestling better than they have all season."

Oak Ridge slammed down Pleasant Grove, 64-6, in the JV match.

Mike Bush

Mike Bush is sports writer and features writer for the Mountain Democrat.

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