By STEFAN MODRICH, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos’ Thiago Almeida and Samuel Hernandez both competed in the Class 6A competition at the University Interscholastic League wrestling state championship meet Friday at the Berry Center in Cypress.
“They both wrestled hard,” Los Fresnos coach Kevin Nguyen said. “The competition here was amazing, and we got caught in some bad positions. Overall, I’m proud of them for getting here and leaving it all on the mat.”
Hernandez, at 195 pounds, finished the year with a 19-4 overall record. He lost in the first round to Joe Racicot of Katy Seven Lakes, with the match ending via pinfall at 4:57.
Almeida, at 106 pounds, wrapped up his season at 21-7. He was defeated in the first round by Eamonn Jimenez of Killeen Ellison by pinfall at 1:20.
“Thiago is only a sophomore,” Nguyen said. “So I’m excited for him to get this experience so early in his career. I can’t wait to see what he brings back next year.”
In the girls bracket, San Benito’s Yamilex Perez was the lone representative from the East Valley.
She lost her first round match in the 165-pound division to Arlington High’s Pamela Escobedo in a 9-1 major decision.
The Lady ’Hounds’ senior captain ended the season at 27-5.