Franklin, EG Grapplers Prep For Weds' Dual

The biggest dual match of the season is coming up Wednesday when Elk Grove hosts Franklin. It will determine the Delta Valley Conference champion in wrestling.

EGHS wrestler Annastassia Ramirez

The dual begins at 6 p.m. in the Cartwright Gym. Wrestling fans, this will be a don't miss match. 

Franklin Grapplers Win Armijo Tourney

Franklin's wrestling team was very impressive last Saturday in winning the Armijo Invitational in Fairfield. Ten of the 14 Wildcat wrestlers placed in the top four in their weight class.

First place medals went to Josh Villaflor (126 pounds), Ali Khan (132), Joey Banks (182) and Tyler Hecht (285). Villaflor was named the outstanding wrestler of the event.

Evan Fong placed fourth at 106 pounds. Earning third place were Antonio Jimenez (126), Arman Haq (145), Connor King (160) and Nick Gustin (195)

This weekend Franklin will compete at the California Invitational at Morro Bay.

Henderson, Taylor Place First at Engle Tournament

Elk Grove wrestlers Braden Henderson and Jaharee Taylor each won his weight group at last weekend’s Lloyd Engle Tournament at Escalon High School. Henderson, a 152 pounder, now has 30 wins this season to lead all Herd grapplers.

Taylor, the Elk Grove heavyweight, leads his team with 14 pins in 29 victories this season.

Elk Grove’s 114-pound wrestler Tristan Scott was second at the Engle Tournament.

Elk Grove won the Nor-Cal “Beast of the North” Wrestling championships Jan. 4-5 at Anderson High School. At that tournament Henderson, Taylor and 191-pounder Scott Votino all placed first, Scott earned a third place medal, Ethan Larrabee was second at 121 pounds, Davis Hallberg placed third at 139 and 161-pounder Joey Lopez was fifth.

Yasay, Ramirez Do Well In Girls’ Wrestling Tourney

Wrestlers from Elk Grove, Florin, Franklin and Monterey Trail competed Jan. 12 in the Asics Napa Valley Girls Classic.

Tita Maria Yasay from Florin was fourth at 122 pounds while Elk Grove’s Annastassia Ramirez placed fourth at 108.

Ramirez is now 22-8 this season in matches and has placed in all her tournaments she’s entered, including a first place in San Jose.

The Section Masters’ tournament for girls is Feb. 1-2 at McNair High School. The top five in each weight class will qualify for the girls’ State Meet.

Coulson To Make MMA Debut

After failing to catch on with a professional football team, former Elk Grove and Nevada-Reno linebacker Ryan Coulson will try his hand at Mixed Martial Arts.

Coulson will make his MMA amateur debut Friday at the Jackson Sports Arena at McClellan Park against Daniel Hernandez. On the West Coast Fighting’s website, Coulson’s photo shows him wearing his Nevada football jersey.

Hernandez is a 240-pounder from Arnold.

The bouts start Friday at 6 p.m. There are 11 fights on the card.