HUGHSON, Calif. – Two of four Orestimba High wrestlers came out with victories over their Hughson opponents in a Trans-Valley League match on Jan. 22.

But host Hughson came out with a 54-12 win.

The winners for the visiting Warriors were Mike Santos in the 146-pound class and Richie Ebert at 192.

“Mike is a sophomore that has stepped up to the mic, no pun intended,” said Orestimba head coach Sergio Mar. “In league, he has wrestled up a weigh and is 3-0 (at 146). Richie started the season up at 215 and then got down to 190 where he is 3-1 on the season.”

Other Warrior grapplers on the team are Seth Blair (122) and Ernie Arteaga (134), along with Emiliano Madrigal-Arroyo (140) and Emmanuel Alcantar (167).

“We have about four kids that are on varsity and a couple that share some time on varsity at dual meets,” Mar said.

Mar also has one girl out for this year’s team in Cynthia Hernandez (147).

“This is here second year,” said Mar of Hernandez, who is a junior. “(Hernandez) has made big improvements since last year.”

Mar sees that his wrestlers are trying their best, and beyond, to compete in the ultra-competitive TVL. Orestimba has an 0-4 record entering its final dual meet of the season against Escalon this Wednesday.

“Overall, we are a young team, with low numbers and moving up to the TVL was a big challenge,” Mar said. “The wrestling in this league, is tough. Over this next off season, we will have to do some major work to close the gap. We are coming up to our last dual against Escalon, the powerhouse in the TVL.”

Orestimba will host Escalon on Wednesday.

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushphotography.