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Members of the Mountain Vista Wrestling Team at the Benson Invitational.

Some wrestlers on the Mountain Vista wrestling team, coached by Gilbert Rodriguez, traveled to tournaments this past week and brought home some medals.

  Sophia Smith wrestled in the 55 pounds division at the Queen Creek USA Wrestling Tournament. She won her first match 9 – 0 and pinned her second opponent in one minute and 20 seconds. In the championship match she lost 9 – 3 taking home a 2^nd Place medal.

  At the Benson Invitational, the team finished 12^th out of 21 teams despite only bringing four wrestlers. Tony Smith in the 78 pounds division brought home a 6^th Place medal winning two of his five matches. Charles Croci wrestled at 73 pounds. He won by fall in his first match then defeated his second opponent in a tough match 7 – 5. He finished in 2^nd Place losing the championship match by a fall.

  Gilbert Rodriguez Jr. wrestling at 83 pounds took 1st Place in his division. Gilbert pinned all three of his opponents. He pinned his first opponent in 25 seconds, the second in 20 seconds and in the championship match it took him two minutes and 30 seconds to secure the win and the championship. For his excellent showing at the tournament, Gilbert was named the Benson Invitational tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.    

  The wrestling team is now training for a Phoenix State Tournament which is a very competitive tournament bringing wrestlers from all over the state. Congratulations to the team and good luck at the tournament.   

John Hernandez (785 Posts)

John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.

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