COSTA MESA, CA – Head Coach Joey Martinez and the #4 Oaks are now 3-0 in the 2023-24 season after a clean sweep at the Tri-Dual against RV Arizona Christian and RV Vanguard. The day began with a tidy 45-3 victory over the Firestorm where Kanaipono Tapia earned a pin in under a minute at the 157 weight class. Menlo followed that with another win over the Vanguard Lions by a score of 37-7. Isaiah Morales won both of his matches today against nationally ranked opponents! 

 

Morales Makes Winning Look Easy

The sophomore from Cathedral City, CA made his mark last season after finishing the year #1 in the Cascade Conference. Isaiah earned All-Conference and qualified for the NAIA National Championship tournament in his debut as an Oak. After a year under his belt, the #11 nationally ranked grappler has proven his experience and walked away undefeated against Arizona Christian and Vanguard opponents who were both also nationally ranked. Morales first faced #17 Kaden Martin (ACU) when the team score was 32-3. After totalling a 17-1 tech fall, the match ended in favor of the Oak. The next match was against #25 Jacob Potts (Vanguard) and Isaiah held the lead the entire time to finish with a 10-2 major decision. The 184 pounder continues to show grit during every mat appearance he gets!  

 

Other Oaks Success

The Oaks had no easy battles today and the veteran leaders proved their technical abilities to go undefeated on the day. Both All-American Oaks, #2 Jovan Garcia (133) and #1 Rysan Leong (165) were featured in the starting lineups. Garcia wrestled through all 3 rounds to earn a 17-1 tech fall over Jason Ramirez against Arizona Christian. Leong wrestled twice, first against Carlo Castagnaro from Arizona Christian where he finished the match with a pin in the 3rd period. Then against Vanguard, Rysan faced Richard Montas and did not concede a single point to end the match with a 8-0 major decision. #18 Ledger Petracek also wrestled in both duals at the 174 weight class tallying a 21-2 tech fall over Bronson Swan (ACU) and a pin against Marquize Brown (Vanguard) just 20 seconds into the second round. #7 Kanai Tapia also went undefeated today with his most memorable win being a pin in 52 seconds against Davion Barnes (ACU). It was clearly another great day of wrestling for the Oaks with some great takeaways from both duals!  

 

Up Next….

During a long break, the Oaks will get to prepare for the NWCA National Duals happening in Cedar Falls, Iowa on January 5th-6th in the new 2024 year! 

 

Menlo 45, Arizona Christian 3

125 – Jimmy Estrada (Menlo) wins by fall over Jimmy Maheras (ACU) in 2nd period (6-0)

133 – #2 Jovan Garcia (Menlo) wins 17-1 by tech fall over Jason Ramirez (ACU) (11-0)

141 – Michael Torres (Menlo) wins 16-4 by major decision over Terrell Kinlicheenie (ACU) (15-0)

149 – Rico Robles (ACU) wins 11-9 by decision over Logan Avina-Barajas (Menlo) (15-3)

157 – #7 Kanai Tapia (Menlo) wins by fall at :52 in 1st period over Davion Barnes (ACU) (21-3)

165 – #1 Rysan Leong (Menlo) wins by fall at :30 in 3rd period over Carlo Castagnaro (ACU) (27-3)

174 – #18 Ledger Petracek (Menlo) wins 21-2 by tech fall over Bronson Swan (ACU) (32-3)

184 – #11 Isaiah Morales (Menlo) wins 17-1 by tech fall over #17 Kaden Martin (ACU) (37-3)

197 – Hunter James (Menlo) wins 10-0 by major decision over Michael Moreno (ACU) (41-3)

285 – #8 Antonio DeCosta (Menlo) wins 11-2 by major decision over Zion Longsine (ACU) (45-3) 

Menlo 37, Vanguard 7

125 – Jimmy Estrada (Menlo) wins 7-2 by decision over Dominic De'Altonaga (VU) (Menlo 3-0)

133 – Jesse Gaytan (Menlo) wins by default (VU Open) (Menlo 9-0)

141 – Mario Sandoval (VU) wins 7-2 by decision over Michael Torres (Menlo) (Menlo 9-3)

149 – #25 Bryant Avila (VU) wins 14-4 by major decision over Ezekiel Lara (Menlo) (Menlo 9-7)

157 – #7 Kanai Tapia (Menlo) wins 16-3 by major decision over Ruben Rodriguez (VU) (Menlo 13-7)

165 – #1 Rysan Leong (Menlo) wins 8-0 by major decision over Richard Motas (VU) (Menlo 17-7)

174 – #18 Ledger Petracek (Menlo) wins by fall, 3:20 over Marquize Brown (VU) (Menlo 23-7)

184 – #11 Isaiah Morales (Menlo) wins 10-2 by major decision over #25 Jacob Potts (VU) (Menlo 27-7)

197 – Hunter James (Menlo) wins by fall in 1st period at 1:41 over LeRoy Garibay (VU) (Menlo 33-7)

285 – #8 Antonio Dacosta (Menlo) wins 9-0 by major decision over Roman Torres (VU) (Menlo 37-7)