Sonoma Valley wrestlers finish third at local tournament

Three Sonoma Valley wrestlers made the finals in memorial Deets Winslow Tournament at Pfeiffer Gym.|

The wrestling team from Sonoma Valley High proved a diplomatic host for the annual Deets Winslow Memorial Tournament on Saturday, placing third while allowing visiting teams from Pitman and Casa Grande to take first and second.

“It was a great performance by the team,” said Coach Nico Saldana of the day-long meet at Pfeiffer Gym. Three Dragons reached the finals – Ean Schiffman, Macklyn Liss and Ryan Sherwood – and while they were unable to defeat their foes they represented well, according to Saldana.

Schiffman, a junior, faced the state’s seventh-ranked 128-pound wrestler from Turlock’s Pitman High, itself ranked 21 in the state. Liss (134) also faced a wrestler from Pitman, while Sherwood’s 162-pound opponent was from Sacred Heart. Sonoma Valley took their third place finish by a single point from Sacred Heart of San Francisco.

Other strong showings came from Talon Bragg (108) and Hank Schoeningh (184), both showing third in their weight. Freshman Justin Borgnis had a solid showing at 128, placing fourth, as did sophomore Graysen Geldert in the 147-pound class.

Last year’s Sonoma Valley wrestling team placed fifth at the tournament, so the strong showing this year marked an improvement – despite the absence of one of their top competitors.

Senior Tyler Winslow, who recently returned to the mat after missing the first half of the season with a football injury, did not compete in the tournament named for his father. Winslow chose to play his last football game as a senior in the Tri-County All-Star Game held in Petaluma the same day.

Coach Saldana expressed appreciation to the parent and supporters who helped put on the tournament, including Sonoma Market, Safeway, Lucky’s, Parson’s Lumber, Scandia Bakery, Basque Boulangerie Cafe, 7-Up, Dutch Brothers and Mary’s Pizza Shack.

“This community even could not happen without all of their support,” said Saldana.

Next dual is Wednesday, Jan. 16, against Napa Valley High, starting at 6 p.m. at Pfeiffer Gym.

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