Vacaville High wrestling team places third at 2022 MidCals

After the 2022 Puma Wrestling Classic was canceled this past weekend, the Vacaville High wrestling program scrambled to find a new tournament. The Bulldogs found the 2022 MidCals in Gilroy and placed third overall.

Out of the 11 competitors that placed for Vacaville, two Bulldogs won their weight classes at the twoday event, including senior Eric Almarinez, who won the 138-pound bracket, when he defeated Benjamin Miller from Robert McQueen of Reno by decision, 13-8.

Sophomore Thomas Sandoval won the 170-pound bracket when he won by decision against Buchanan’s Roman Mendez, 7-2.

Overall, Vacaville cohead coach Armando Orozco was proud of his program for quickly adapting to a tournament that had even tougher opponents than the one that originally was scheduled.

“We were pleased with our kids with how they wrestled and competed,” Orozco said. “Given the quick adapt and overcome thing with our schedule.”

The Bulldogs are set to host the Will C. Wood Wildcats at home Wednesday, where seniors will be recognized for their efforts, and the Monticello Empire League title will be on the line.

RODRIGUEZ 64, WOOD 55 >> Ending the weekend with a Monticello Empire League matchup, the Will C. Wood High girls basketball fell short to the Rodriguez Mustangs, 64-55.

The Wildcats (10-5, 3-1) were led in scoring by junior Athena Brombacher, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Senior Bella Merritt scored 11 points and four rebounds. Sophomores Lucia Alexander and Andrea Howard each scored nine.

Wildcats head coach Matthew Lowry credited his players for a strong showing.

“I think the lesson we can take from this is that we have to clean up the little things in order to take that next jump,” Lowry said. “We can’t get content. Not yet.”

After taking on the Vanden Vikings on the road on

Tuesday, the Wildcats continue MEL play when they host the Fairfield Falcons on Thursday.

VIKINGS GO 1-1 >> The Vanden Vikings boys basketball program had a busy weekend, competing in back-to-back games and going 1-1.

On Saturday, at Crush in the Valley at Contra Costa College, the Vikings fell short to Campolindo, 71-56.

Then, less than a day later, the Vikings were hosts of another Monticello Empire League match-up, as they defeated the Armijo Royals, 82-35.

The Vikings are 10-11 overall, and 4-0 in the MEL. They are set to be back on the road on Wednesday when they take on Wood.