L-R: Kern Valley’s Carlos Monzo, Charles Schmeiser, Max Baughman, and Joel Donoho all medaled at the Cotton Classic at Shafter. Submitted photos.
Four from Kern Valley earn medals at Cotton Classic Tournament
The inexperienced Kern Valley Broncs wrestling team began their season facing a tough Tehachapi squad. They would submit to the Warriors by the score of 60-18.
With only two returners, the Broncs knew this year would be tough when it comes to duals. Blake Baughman earned the only team points on the mat. Two others were awarded forfeits to give Kern Valley their 18 team points on the night. Jacob Lopez and Charles Schmeisser received the forfeit win sin their weight class. Michael Porter went into his match knowing he would be squaring off with one of Tehachapi’s better wrestlers. He would eventually lose by pin. Carlos Monzo showed plenty of promise as one of the younger wrestlers for the Broncs. He battled his opponent, but would fall short of an upset bid. Andrew Miller moved up a weight and would lose by the pin. Max Baughman, Greyson Fitzgerald, Troy Valenzuela, Jacob Abraugh, and Brett Willingham, gained mat time, but in the end would lose by pin. Schmeisser would wrestle an exhibition match and collect the win by fall. In other exhibitions matches, Joel Donoho, Thomas Pacheco, and Valenzuela would all fall short and drop their matches.
On Saturday, the Broncs a team that needs mat time competed at the Cotton Classic in Shafter. When all was said and done four athletes walked away with medals on the day. M. Baughman was the top finisher for Kern Valley. He placed third as he picked up his first ever high school wrestling victory. Schmeisser, Donoho, and Monzo would all take fourth to garner medals at the tournament. The Broncs also sent Ryan Stokes, Hunter Aultman, Pacheco, Fitzgerald, Valenzuela, and Miller to compete. Pacheco was another first-time winner at the high school level.
Head coach Wes Woody said, “We are young, and really inexperienced, however we have numbers like we haven’t had in a long time. We are gaining experience and our two returners were able to pick up wins at the dual and lead the team. We have a long way to go, but an eager group that is putting in the work which will benefit all in the end.”
Kern Valley will now have a 10-day break from wrestling matches. They will compete at the Immanuel-Reeder Invitational on Dec. 21. The girls wrestling squad will get their chance to face off with opponents at the Farmersville Invitational also on Dec. 21.
