Terra Nova's varsity wrestling team took second place at this year's Peninsula Athletic League conference Championships, a mere 12 points behind Half Moon Bay. Nine of 14 varsity wrestlers earned medals, and five made it to the final championship round.
At 115lb, Justin Pesino beat Evan Marschall from HMB for the first time this season after losing to him twice in previous matches. Pesino advanced to the championship round against El Camino's Christian Diokno (CCA rank 4th). Pesino finished in 2nd place and earned a spot at the CCS tournament. Patrick Palomata - 120lbs finished 2nd as well after pinning all of his opponents in earlier rounds. Joining them at CCS is David Melton who won the final round by pin, taking 1st place.
Two Tigers advanced to the championship round but will not be joining their teammates at CCS. In past years, the top 3 finishers at PALs advanced to CCS, but this year, only the top 2 were allowed to advance. In order to determine what the CIF calls “True Second”, the individuals in 3rd place were allowed to challenge the second place finishers if they had not already lost to them. Both Ryan McGannon – 147lbs, and Leo Grabowski – 172lbs advanced to the championship round and placed 2nd. Both were challenged. McGannon lost by referee's decision, and Grabowski had to forfeit due to injury. In the first round of semi-finals, Grabowski broke a tooth and split his lip open, but he continued to fight. Then he rallied to pin Sequoia's Jonah Valenzuela in the final seconds of the third overtime period. Though in need of stitches, Grabowski wrestled in the final round but was not able to face his 3rd place challenger after that. Both McGannon and Grabowski are juniors who will return next year.
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Other top finshers for Terra Nova include Chase Edgington – 140lbs, who pinned all of his opponents but one and finished in 3rd place. Iakona Simpliciano – 145lbs, OJ Gazo – 162lbs, and Adam Noce – 287lbs each finished in 4th place.
Three of Terra Nova's JV wrestlers stood on the podium as well. Louis Roth- 147 lbs, finished 2nd. Jeremy Watts – 162lbs, took 3rd, and Tsubasa Borissoff – 182lbs, won the gold medal as a first year wrestler.
