Othello takes down Ephrata in CWAC wrestling action

OTHELLO — The expected shootout between ranked 113-pounders proved to be the pivotal turning point in Thursday’s Central Washington Athletic Association wrestling match at Pete Taggares Gym.

No. 1 ranked Sammy Flores of Ephrata and No. 3 Chris Melo went toe-to-toe in the 113-pound match. The Huskies senior led start-to-finish with a solid takedown in the first period, extending his lead to 7-3 in the third, before winning by decision, 10-3.

Ephrata (1-4 CWAC) forfeited at 126 and 160, falling 48-19 in the CWAC dual.

The Huskies are still sorting out their lineup, but the 113-pound match proved to be a turning point of sorts coach Rudy Ochoa II said.

“Their both really tough wrestlers. PJ (Anderson) does a great job getting the guys there ready,” Ochoa II said. “We always know when we’re wrestling Ephrata they’re going to bring it.

“Chris is a non-stop, action type of wrestler and Flores matches that. So we knew that was going to be a tough opponent.”

Melo suffered a broken collarbone in the Region 4 tournament last year and had to miss the 2A Mat Classic. He’s been on a mission this season to get back. The Othello senior is coming off a solid Tri-State Tournament where he placed fifth in the major Pacific Northwest tournament.

“I just keep on moving. I wrestled well from the bottom tonight and that’s what I mean about keep on moving,” Melo said. “(Flores) got a little stronger since last time we wrestled. I feel pretty good coming off a good Tri-State getting ready for upcoming duals.

“We have a great schedule coming this week with Moses Lake, Quincy and Ellensburg. I’m looking forward to a rematch with (Maximus Zamora of Moses Lake) after losing to him at Tri-State.”

The night started at 170 pounds. Easton Roylace (170) and Bernie Garza Jr. (182) gave the Huskies a 9-0 lead with a decision and pin, respectively. Mac Laird got the Tigers on the board, pinning Nick Alvarez in the 195-pound match in the first period.

DJ Guzman went into the match as the No. 3 ranked 220-pounder in the state and wrestled like it. Guzman, the Huskies senior, caught Kevin Pelayo 52 seconds into the second period and the Huskies took a 15-6 lead four matches in.

“Our focus to maintain our intensity and the speed at which we were wrestling was good,” Tigers coach PJ Anderson said. “I thought we only had trouble in a couple spots.

“I thought the 113 match was good. Sammy was a little bit flat tonight and not his normal self. He might have had himself worked up a little bit because is was a big match. He finally started wrestling in the third period when he was too far behind. He had to play catch-up and that’s tough to do with a kid like Melo.”

Efrain Bedolla, who’s ranked No. 8 at 285, and Elijah Roylace had an epic battle of big men. Bedolla got the escape from the referee’s position in the third and held on to win 1-0. Othello senior Jeremy Mendez won the Bob Mars and Leonard Schutte tournaments earlier in the year. He broke away from a 7-7 tie in the second with Carter Cox to win the 145-pound bout 14-7.

The Huskies (3-1) closed hard to win their third dual of the season. They are at the Pacific Northwest tournament at Spokane Friday and Saturday, then face Quincy on Tuesday and take on the No. 2 4A Moses Lake Jan. 10.

The Tigers wrestle at Prosser on Tuesday and host Selah Jan. 11

Othello 48, Ephrata 19

170 - Easton Roylance, O, d. Carter Mills, 6-4.

182 - BJ Garza Jr., O, p. Alan Maceda, :41.1.

195 - Mac Laird, E, p. Nick Alvarez, 1:04.

220 - DJ Guzman, O, p. Jeremy Reyes, 1:13

285 - Efrain Bedolla, E, d. Elijah Roylance, 1-0

106 - Josiah Barerra, O, d. Kevin Sager, 10-8

113 - Chris Melo, O, d. Sammy Flores, 10-3

120 - Arturo Solorio, O, d. Clay Johns, 12-4

126 - Jaxon Rocha, O, wins by forfeit

132 - Jeremy Mendez, O, d. Cade Cox, 14-7

138 - Nathan Garcia, O. p, Juan Mendez, 5:20

145 - Valero Placido, E, p. Juan Martinez, :21

152 - Juan Martinez, O, p Corbin Sager, :21.2

160 - Eric Gomez, O, wins by forfeit