Tony Becerra shuffled his cards on Thursday and it led to a nail-biting 36-33 win for the San Marcos wrestling team against Buena.
It was so close that it didn’t come down to wins and losses, because even the losses had to be close.
“The ones that you’re going to lose you can’t lose by pins,” said Becerra, using the efforts of Ethan Davis and Jake Jourdan as examples.
Davis was facing an opponent in the 154-pound bout who had taken sixth at the recent Tournament of Champions.
“His job was to not get pinned, but he came out and actually had a chance to win. If you’re going to lose, you’ve got to lose close,” said the coach.
Davis lost 10-5, much better than a pin.
Jourdan was wrestling up in the heavyweights and lost a close 8-5 decision. Close losses like that made the difference for the Royals.
Louis Giroux, Zach Belway, Jordan Bishop and Tyler Mallard all picked up pins for the Royals, while Felipe Roman, David Billesbach and Jason Stevens won by decision.
San Marcos is at the Arroyo Tournament on Saturday before hostin Dos Pueblos on Thursday on a crosstown battle for second place in the Channel League.
SAN MARCOS 36, BUENA 33
105 — Steven Patch, B, pinned Jonathan Andrade, 1:20; 114 — Marcos Sandoval, B, pinned Mike Martin, 1:50; 121 — Felipe Roman, SM, def. Jordan Bach, 8-7; 127 — David Billesbach , SM, def. Max Miguensby 17-1; 132 — Matt Yanker, B, by forfeit; 137 — Tyler Mallard, SM, pinned Chad Highland, 1:53; 142 — Jason Stevens, SM, def. Noe Olivo by maj. decision, 13-1; 147 — Jordan Bishop, SM, pinned Steve Rutledge, 1:26; 154 — Alex Ayala, B, def. Ethan Davis, 10-5; 162 — Joe Singh, B, by forfeit; 173 — Louis Giroux, SM, pinned Jacob Armendars, 5:06; 191 — Zach Belway, SM, pinned Steve Magana, 1:38; 217 — Hobbs, B, def. Julian Lake, 6-4; HW — Julian Ferguson, B, def. Jake Jourdan, 8-5.
