MARIPOSA’S KEENAN JOHNSON GETS READY TO SLAM HIS CHOWCHILLA OPPONENT IN LAST WEEK’S NON-LEAGUE MATCH. JOHNSON CLAIMED DECISION AT 189 POUNDS. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER In their first dual meet of the season, Mariposa’s varsity wrestling squad manhandled Chowchilla in a non-league match last Wednesday on the Grizzlies’ home mat, 57-21.

“We have a good solid core of varsity wrestlers right now, and we’re looking for a strong season,” said head coach Scott Seymour.

Last year, Mariposa claimed second place in the Trans-Valley League, its highest finish ever. “We have a lot of veteran wrestlers back, and that year of experience means a lot,” Seymour added.

At 103 pounds, Mariposa’s William Auble won by forfeit before the Grizzlies forfeited the 112-pound match.

Grizzly Randall Davis won by forfeit at 119 pounds, as did Chris Sherrill and Justin Long in the next two weight classes. Mariposa’s Joe Grabowski made short work of his Chowchilla foe at 140 pounds, recording a pin in the first round. In a hard-fought contest, Grizzly Jesus Ortiz lost by decision at 145 pounds.

Grizzly senior Colin Ritter threw his opponent to the mat in the first round and nailed his shoulders to the surface for a first round pin at 152 pounds. Alex Harrington followed suit for Mariposa at 160 pounds with a quick first-round pin. Patrick Hibpshman extended the streak at 171 pounds when he notched a win by pin.

In one of the best matches of the evening, Mariposa’s Keenan Johnson won a decision at 189 pounds over a solid Chowchilla wrestler. The Grizzlies forfeited the 215-pound weight class before heavyweight Joe Mass placed an exclamation point on the competiton with a secondround pin.

The Grizzlies traveled to Yosemite High School in Oakhurst Wednesday evening for a non-league contest against the Badgers.

Last Saturday in a junior varsity tournament at Yosemite, Mariposa’s Auble finished second at 103 pounds. The Grizzlies finished fifth in team scoring in the 8-team tournament.

“I don’t bring my number twos in any weight division to a junior varsity tournament,” Seymour said. “We have a lot of freshmen and sophomores, and I take kids that are new and green so they get some competitive experience. From what I see in skill and talent level from our younger wrestlers, I expect they will be able to solidly fill the varsity slots for the future.”