Competing at the Division V section meet at Hilmar High, the Tigers qualified two wrestlers — Rafael Sotello (135 pounds) and George Miranda (171) — for this week’s two-day affair.
“I thought that it was a good tournament for our team,” Patterson coach Lee Scoles said. “Everyone that showed up gave it their best.
“Sure, it was the last time on the mats for some kids. But they wrestled hard and they made sure that they went out this season giving it their all.”
Patterson sent 13 wrestlers to the Division V tournament, but only three qualified to compete the second day. Ricky Howard (152) joined Sotello and Miranda on the mats Saturday but narrowly missed out on advancing, dropping his fifth-place match.
“Ricky wrestled an excellent tournament,” Scoles said. “He was so close to joining his teammates in Stockton.
“I’m very proud of the effort he gave. He’ll be back again and leading this team next season.”
Sotello finished fourth in his weight class, falling to Mike Wagner of Amador in his final match. Miranda, however, improved on last season’s fifth-place bid, taking the championship in his weight class, besting his opponent from Calaveras.
“The kids were exposed to a higher level of competition than they’re used to,” Scoles said. “(Sotello and Miranda) had some tough matches, but they stuck with it and showed that all of their hard work pays off, especially against quality opponents.”
As a team, the Tigers finished in 12th place overall out of 24 schools. Patterson finished with a team score of 63, ahead of Western Athletic Conference rivals Livingston, Gustine and Orestimba.
Central Catholic won the tournament with a score of 208.
“We have a lot of kids on the brink of something special,” Scoles said. “We are a young team with a positive upside and a bright future.
“Hopefully, we can get something accomplished this week with the guys that we are sending (to masters).”
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