Wrestling: Tiger grapplers win Alhambra tournament

Last weekend, for the third time in the Lawrence Miller Memorial Wrestling Tournament's history, the Douglas High School wrestling team claimed the team title.

The Tigers, who have participated in all 30 years of the tournament, prevailed over the 25-team field, which included many Bay area powers.

Douglas entered the finals with an eight-point lead over hosting Alhambra. Both schools had five wrestlers in the championship round.

Freshman Wesley Peterson kicked off the finals in the 103-pound bracket, losing to Theo Phan of San Marin 6-3.

Douglas 112-pounder Garrett Hekhuis, a junior, followed with a 3:44 pin of Edward Yanagacio from Milpitas to extend the Tiger lead to 14 points.

Ryan Olsen, wrestling at 119 pounds for the Tigers, added four points to the Tiger lead with a gritty 6-5 decision over Lopez from Westmont.

Alhambra countered with a championship win from Aaron Westphal at 125 pounds to cut the Tiger lead to 13 with a major decision over Abe Matsui from Westmont.

The Bulldogs from Alhambra scored a decision at 130 pounds when Francisco Morales beat Amrik Dhillon from California High and the Tiger lead shrunk to 9.

Douglas senior Ryan Pruitt earned a silver medal at 152 pounds, falling to Nick Kelsey of Pioneer in the finals.

Alhambra then sliced the Douglas lead to 5 after 160-pound Jordan Abed beat California High's Chris Battle in one of the featured matches of the finals.

Douglas junior Tony Ferris lost to Rico Altamarano from Tokay High at 171 pounds to finish the Tigers' medal run.

Alhambra had two more opportunities to overtake Douglas in the finals but failed to capitalize on both attempts.

The tournament victory by Douglas was also fueled by strong consolation finishes by Jake Williams (fourth at 160), Cody Spates (fourth at 130), Nico Barker (fifth at 125) and Nick Ceglia (sixth at 145). Douglas won the tournament without its 215 and 285 spots. Devin Barker was also out with a foot injury at 140 pounds.

Douglas faces Wooster tonight at home for its senior night.

The regional tournament is scheduled for Feb. 2 and 3.