Mustangs out-duel Eagles to win Olympian Duals mat tourney

The Otay Ranch Mustangs continue to improve under the guidance of head coach Troy Vierra, with last Saturday’s 54-24 victory over the host Olympian Eagles the latest measuring stick. The victory earned Vierra’s crew the championship title of this year’s 20-team Olympian Duals.

The Mustangs went 5-0 in the tournament.

“We’ve just getting better each week — that’s the goal,” Vierra said. “Now, we’re working on getting in better condition for the second half of the season.”

Six Otay Ranch wrestlers went undefeated at the Olympian Duals: Tommy Espinoza (112 pounds), Eddie Estevez (119), Victor Garcia (125), Manuel Razo (135), Albert Lopez (160) and Jonathan Henkel (heavyweight).

The Mustangs defeated El Cajon Valley, Santana, Patrick Henry, St. Augustine and Olympian to emerge on top.

The Eagles had four grapplers earn first-place medals: Ello (112), Arvin Lleva (130), Devon Flores (171) and  John Grylls (189). Silver medalists included heavyweight Jessie Perez, Jose Gonzalez (119) and Imran Hoque (145).

“We’re hoping to do the best we can and make a run at the South Bay League title,” Eagles coach Aramis Vera said. “We were the runner-up to Mar Vista last year.”

Patrick Henry finished fourth and San Ysidro finished fifth at this year’s Olympian Duals.