MISSION VIEJO – Every time fifth-ranked San Clemente’s wrestling team made a move, seventh-ranked Trabuco Hills had an answer.
After falling behind early, San Clemente got to within one point on two occasions, the final time with Dylan Klink’s victory by fall at 195 pounds.
Trabuco Hills then won the next two matches by fall and a third by major decision to retake control, leading to its 42-22 victory Tuesday in a South Coast League dual.
“We had a couple of people missing, but we had some guys step up for sure,” Trabuco Hills’ Lukas Howa said. “As a team, we’re just taking it day-by-day, getting better. It would be really nice if we could go undefeated (in league).”
Last year, Trabuco Hills finished 3-1 in league duals.
Tuesday’s match started at 132 pounds. Justin Sarabia got things off on the right foot for the Mustangs with a major decision victory. Trabuco Hills’ Matt Roxas followed with a victory by technical fall to give the Mustangs a 9-0 lead.
After a San Clemente victory at 145, the Tritons’ Tyler Meisinger tied the match, 9-9, with a victory by fall at 152 pounds.
The teams alternated bonus-point victories over the next four matches, leaving the Mustangs with a 20-19 lead after 195 pounds.
Trabuco Hills then took control of the match. Chris Murray (220) and heavyweight Zeus Carrillo won by fall. Nathan Juarez pulled out an 11-10 victory. Trey Munoz clinched the match with his major decision victory at 113 pounds.
The dual ended at 126 pounds.
“I thought we wrestled great,” Trabuco Hills coach Kurt Mithoff said. “We wrestled a lot of guys up, just to match up with them, and I thought we did a good job matching up and I thought guys came to wrestle.
“You can’t take anyone lightly. There’s a lot of parity and everybody comes to wrestle. You have a key guy get hurt, then that affects everything. Our goals are to keep getting better. You have to get better and improve. Everything falls into place if you’re doing everything right.”
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
