Email
PrintDetermined Dragons drub Piner
Seniors honored, Sonoma wins home finale, still unbeaten in SCL duals, at EA; Denning Rodriguez 2nd
Sonoma’s Giordi Serafini, en route to winning his match during the Dragons’ SCL dual-rout of Piner last Thursday evening in Golton Hall, was one of eight seniors honored before the home finale. Serafini is attempting to reach the North Coast Section championships for a rare fourth-straight season.
Steven Serafini/Index-Tribune
A crowded and loud Golton Hall was rocking with excitement last Thursday night as the Sonoma Valley High School varsity wrestling team honored its eight seniors and their parents, then delivered an impressive team performance in its home finale to remain unbeaten after four Sonoma County League dual matches.
Moments after honoring their seniors – co-captains Sam Denning, Aidan Lacy and Giordi Serafini, along with Jonny Amandoli, Sebastian Amara, Peter Gray, Alex Ohan and Jose Vazquez – the Dragons took the mat with confidence and determination, which led to their 55-17 rout of much-improved new SCL-member Piner.
Sonoma quickly got down to business with Lacy and freshman Dalton Elster posting emphatic pins which sparked eight straight bout wins over the Prospectors, with Amandoli’s first-round pin victory putting the finishing touch on a triumphant evening.
Though the Dragons had beaten visiting Petaluma 49-23 last Tuesday, they didn’t look as sharp and efficient as they did in crushing Piner.
“We went from making a weaker team (Petaluma) look good to making a better team (Piner) look bad,” said Sonoma assistant coach Deets Winslow. Head coach Kyle Baird added, “Our guys, especially the seniors, were enthusiastic to wrestle tonight, and the final results say it all.”
Leading the SCL first-place tied (with Healdsburg) Dragons were Lacy’s second-round pin-win over Greg at 222 pounds; Gray’s first-round pinning of Gamboa at 115; Serafini’s 11-2 defeat of Mobbs at 134; Denning’s 14-3 victory over Wilson at 140; Amara’s first-round pin-win over Woffard at 162; Amandoli’s first-round pinning of Christianson at 197; Elster’s first-round pin victory over George in the heavyweight division; junior co-captain Max Schimm’s 9-4 triumph over Waller at 154; junior Harris Meglin’s 9-1 defeat of Nunez at 122; sophomore Jake Randuch’s 13-4 victory over Dalby at 128; junior Chris Lohnes’ forfeit win at 108; Ohan’s first-round pin-loss to Salath at 172; and junior Tommy Jordan’s 20-2 defeat by Cords at 147.
On Saturday, a pair of Sonoma varsity wrestlers competed in the Lou Encalada Invitational at Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, with Denning posting a 3-1 second-place record at 134 pounds, while Jordan was 0-2 at 140.
The Dragons travel to Santa Rosa tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 30, for a 6 p.m. SCL dual with Elsie Allen.
Please note: Your full name will be published with your comment.