SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – Menlo Men's Wrestling sent Oak Squad down to Cuesta College to compete in the MeatHead Movers Invitational featuring 18 schools ranging from Junior College to NAIA to NCAA DII opponents. Menlo placed 2nd as a team with 158 points and 7 wrestlers placing. JC Escutia took 1st place at 184 after going undefeated on the day. Oak Squad had a strong showing for their first tournament appearance of the season! 

MeatHead Movers Invitational Results

Erik Ramirez (125) - 6th place

The freshman from Palm Desert, CA, Erik Ramirez, made his tournament debut for Menlo and went 3-3. Ramirez earned back to back pins against Elias Magann (Delta) and Christian Espinoza (Cerritos) both in the first rounds. Erik would go on to place 6th after a win by decision in the consolation matches. Ramirez has begun his Menlo career with some great appearances on the mat!

 

Luis Solis (133) - 4th place

Luis went 4-1 in his first outing as an Oak. He began the day with a win by decision over Levi Waller (Cerritos) by a score of 17-8. Solis then went on to earn a tech fall in the third round against Cameron Calhoun (Cerritos) by a score of 21-3. Finally, the freshman from Rialto, CA would tally 2 major decisions at the end of his day against Gio Urbieta (West Hills) and William Baumgarten (College of Redwoods) to place 4th at 133. 

 

Roberto Lopez (141) - 5th place

Roberto Lopez went 3-2 for his first appearance as an Oak. His first match went to extra rounds where Lopez was able to secure the win in sudden victory over Evan Granados (Cerritos). Roberto also had a win by major decision over Michael Padilla (East LA) by a score of 11-4. In the 5th place consolation match, the freshman from Tracy, CA would go on to win by major decision over Albert Mechamal (Moorpark) by a score of 17-4 to secure the 5th place finish.   

 

Eric Smith-Williams (149) - 3rd place

Eric Smith-Williams went 5-1 in his first appearance as an Oak this season. Williams won by tech fall in his first match of the day against Isaac Flores (Bakersfield) by a score of 22-2 in the third round. After taking a loss, he would then earn 4 back to back pins against Brian Dryer (Rio Hondo), Jake Topartzer (Cerritos) and Dorian Parker (Palomar). The junior out of Los Angeles, CA would go on to finish in 3rd at 149.

 

JC Escutia (184) - 1st place

JC Escutia had the best showing of the day for the Oaks after going 4-0 on the day. Escutia would open his day with 3 back to back pins against Ben Setun (Cerritos), Rafael Roman-Amador (Bakersfield), and Isaac Villalobos (Bakersfield) to make it to the championship round. There, JC would win by decision over Bryan Thorne (Skyline) by a score of 9-2 to earn the title at 184! 

 

Diego Cesar Chaidez (197) - 5th place

Chaidez had a strong showing during the Oaks home opener and his tournament appearance was no different. Chaidez opened the day with a pin against Sebation Navarro (West Hills) before taking down Liam Clark (Palomar) by decision (6-3 score). Diego would earn his second pin of the day against Wes Tislens (Palomar) to make it to the 5th place match. There, the freshman would secure the 5th place spot by no contest.   

 

Nathaniel Fernandez (HWT) - 3rd place

The sophomore from Gilroy, CA was hungry for more after his quick pin during the Oaks home opener against Skyline. At the Invitational Ferandez went 7-1 with 5 matches being won by pin and two by forfeit. His first pin was in 30 seconds against Nathan Ramos (West Hills). His next pin was in 9 seconds against Jose Quilantan (Shasta). After pinning Mustafa Farha (Palomar) in 14 seconds, Nathaniel would pin Tevita Taufa (Palomar) to make it to the 3rd place match. There, Fernandez did what he does best and pinned Johnell Ward (Bakersfield) in the final round to take 3rd place at 285!