Tigers tune up for West Yosemite League meet with wins over Hanford, Hanford West

Lemoore will be 6-1 as the Tigers go into the February 15 league championships at El Diamanté High School in Visalia.

The Tigers only loss this season was in a dual meet against Redwood, which the Rangers won handily 45-18.

"We had three key kids out that week," said Tiger Coach Marcio Botelho. "Our kids are wrestling a lot better and if we keep wrestling like we have been, we will win. They just need to take care of business."

A lot is at stake Feb. 15. Lemoore is gunning for its 20th consecutive WYL championship and the Tigers haven't had anybody challenge them in the past two decades for the title.

In Wednesday’s opener, Hector Zavala got things off to a good start with a first period pin at 108 pounds. “He went out and got a first round pin,” said Botelho. “He was aggressive from the start.

Dominic Lopez returned from an injury to win his match at 154 pounds. Last year’s state qualifier, he scored a pin in the second period. He went 2-0 on the night with a 13-3 win at 160 pounds and appears headed to another league title.

Another two-time winner was Justin Ludington, who has really come on as of late, said Botelho. The talented senior came away with a pair of pins to help lead his team to a sweep.

In the heavyweight division Nate Ibarra pinned both his opponents as did junior Jose Romero.

In junior varsity action, the Tiger youngsters scored a pair of knockouts, beating West 72-9 and Hanford 78-0. The junior varsity highlight was Richard Chavarria, who record a first round pin against Hanford.

In girls’ action state qualifier Cassie Sandoval continued her winning ways with a third period pin of her opponent, a boy, at 106 pounds while Esperanza Cadena, in an exhibition won at 126 pounds.