By Jay Leon Guerrero
The ISA Wrestling League held its second meet on Saturday with the Okkodo Bulldogs, GW Geckos, JFK Islanders, and Sanchez Sharks assembling at the JFK gym.
The Sanchez girls won both their matches, while the GW and Okkodo boys did the same.
Girls division
Sanchez def. GW (30-18)
JFK def. Okkodo (24-18)
GW def. JFK (30-18)
Sanchez def. Okkodo (24-22)
Boys division
GW def. Sanchez (47-24)
Okkodo def. JFK (42-28)
GW def. JFK (36-33)
Okkodo def. Sanchez (44-24)
The first match between the Geckos and Sharks was split with the GW boys and Sanchez girls winning their respective matches.
The Geckos boys won 47-24 with last year’s All-Island gold medallist Rayn Rios leading the way. Rios won his first match 16-1 against a Sanchez opponent in the first round by technical decision. Rios won his second match by pin against JFK in the 195-lbs division.
“My main goal this season, of course, is to help my team by winning a gold medal at the All-Island meet,” said Rios. “Aside from that, I look forward to helping my teammates throughout the season become better at the sport and having as much fun as we can in the process.”
The Geckos and Islanders took the mats later in the afternoon with Geckos winning a close contest 36-33.
The Sharks went 2-0 for the day in the girls’ division.
“Everyone’s goal is to win at the All-Island, but I also want to enjoy the season and have as much fun Wrestling as possible,” said Doriana Penaflor. Penaflor, wrestling in the 119-lbs division, won both her matches via pin.
Sharks senior Mya Owens won her first match via pin and her second match by forfeit. The 134-lbs division wrestler is on a mission this season. “Every year I’ve been wrestling, I’ve gotten second place. This season, my goal is to try and win gold,” said Owens.
The Bulldogs boys team was impressive on the mat with a pair of convincing victories. Ethan Gozum (145 lbs) won both his matches via points. Bryzon Teodoro (138 lbs) and Emyl Dela Cruz (170 lbs) won both matches by pin and forfeit.