Saratoga News
Sports
Saratoga wrestlers pull out tight 37-30 win over Eagles
By Dick Sparrer
It doesn't appear that the Saratoga wrestling team is going to get any help in its run for a championship in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League.
The Falcons fell 51-24 to Miliptas back before the Christmas break, and since then both teams have been running the table in the dual match season.
Milpitas made short show of Santa Clara 55-23 last week while the Falcons were pulling out an exciting 37-30 win over Los Altos.
The Trojans improved to 5-0 in the league race with the win and have just a Feb. 1 date with Homestead (2-2) remaining on their dual match schedule.
The Falcons, meanwhile, are 3-1 with two matches remaining--a home bout on Feb. 1 against Santa Clara (1-3) and a road match against Homestead on Feb. 8. The 6:30 p.m. clash with the Bruins this Thursday will be Senior Night for the Falcons.
It appears, though, that the Falcons cannot catch Milpitas in the dual match race, and their only hope is to top the Trojans at the SCVAL tournament set for Feb. 10 at Santa Clara.
In the meantime, the Falcons are doing what they can--beating the teams they face each week in the El Camino race.
After the loss to Milpitas, Saratoga fought back with wins over Harker, Lynbrook and Los Altos.
The Falcons won five of the nine matches contested in the tough bout with the Eagles (2-2). Three of Saratoga's victories came by fall.
Nate Nguyen pinned in the first period at 103 pounds and Doug Macklin nailed a first-round fall at 135. Jian Lee pinned in the third round at 130.
Ryan Stoffers cruised to a 13-4 victory at 140 pounds for the Falcons and Jasper Loren pulled out a 9-5 win at 145. Richard Macklin at 119 and Trevor Teerlink at 125 each won by forfeit.
Nikhil Balakrishnan (112), Danny Gold (152), Samir Mathur (160) and Alan Yen (171) each lost by fall for the Falcons.
Senior co-captains D. Macklin and Gold along with senior Derrick Green will be the wrestlers Saratoga will honor on Senior Night on Thursday when the Falcons host the Bruins.
