By David Borboa and Mike Gill
High School wrestling in the Central Valley is heading into overdrive as the 2025-26 season continues.
This Friday and Saturday, the Dos Palos Broncos will travel to Madera Ranchos for the Mad Ranch Duals, which will be hosted by Liberty High. The junior varsity will compete Friday and the varsity portion of the duals will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The Broncos opened its season last Saturday by winning their own tournament.
Firebaugh traveled to Los Banos last Wednesday for a trio of dual matches against teams from the Sac Joaquin Section.
Then the Tigers hosted wrestlers from Kerman, Firebaugh and Mendota, in a 6-way dual and Los Banos went undefeated against all three teams.
The Eagles defeated Hilmar but lost to Los Banos and Central Valley-Ceres.
Last Saturday, Firebaugh competed in the Robert Arballo Holiday Hammer Tournament at Madera South High School. The Hammer featured four of the top 10 teams in California —Buchanan-Clovis, Clovis, Gilroy, and Christopher-Gilroy.
Firebaugh won the Small Schools Division and finished eighth overall. Heavyweight Vicente Cardoza placed eighth in his weight class.
Last week the Los Banos Tiger wrestling program completed an excellent week of matches, beginning with the Havoc at the Hawk’s Nest dual meet against the Central Valley Hawks in Ceres.
For the Tiger girls team, Kaelen Connolly, Michelle Hernandez, Alysiana Salas, Miranda Navarette, Sara Almanza and Maryjane Tarin all placed first in their respective weight classes.
For The boys squad, the Tigers had 23 out of 24 wrestlers placed, with Isaiah Salvatier, Arthur Fernandez, Alexis Toledo, Johnny Tevis, Luke Borelli and Raul Navarette all placing in first in their respective weight classes.
This Saturday, Firebaugh will head to Reedley for the California Classic.
Los Banos will host Pacheco High on Dec. 17 beginning at 5 p.m.
