San Marino had enough points squirrelled away in forfeits and Luka Wick to win Monday afternoon’s Rio Hondo League varsity wrestling match against visiting Monrovia, but officials went through with the contest, anyway.
And it’s a good thing or fans would have missed one of the more exciting individual battles in recent memory.
With the result sewed up in San Marino’s favor, Monrovia’s Nicholas Stergar faced off with the Titans’ Matt Harlan in the final contest of the day at the heavy weight level. Harlan controlled the early action, but was reversed early in the final period. With little time remaining, Harlan spun Stergar and threw him on his back for a third period pin, eliciting a loud roar from the crowd in San Marino High School’s small gym and providing the final points in the Titans’ 48-12 victory.
The Wildcats took an early lead when Benny Herrera was unopposed at the opening weight of 106 lbs. San Marino’s Will Lozano stepped in to wrestle Herrera in an exhibition bout and showed signs of promise. The Titans picked up forfeits at 113 lbs. and 121 lbs., with Santino Sanchez and Sean Han having their hands raised in victory.
San Marino’s Craig MacLaren-Swan pinned Monrovia’s Jacob Luna at 132 lbs. to give the Titans an 18-6 advantage with Koa Ruiz doing likewise to Monrovia’s Joshua Quinones at 138 lbs. San Marino’s Devin Che received a forfeit victory at 145 lbs. and the Titans’ Luka Wick pinned Michael Quinones at 152 lbs.
San Marino’s Gavin Palenick picked up a first period pin over Gustavo Ventura at 170 lbs., and Ryan Arrington pinned Monrovia’s Melvin Galicia at 195 lbs. in the first period, setting the stage for Harlan’s heavyweight heroics.
The Titans traveled to La Cañada on Thursday but return home to host Hoover for the Rio Hondo League finale on Thursday, January 23 at 4:30 p.m.
