Giselle Lopez, third from right on the Masters podium in Stockton. Photo by Coach David Moore

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - On Saturday, February 10th, Cordova High hosted the 2024 D4 Section Divisionals. The annual competition includes four leagues and 30 different high schools. The four leagues are the Greater Sacramento League, which Cordova is in, San Joaquin Athletic Association, Golden Empire League and the Western Athletic Conference. There were a total of 224 wrestlers competing in the event in which the top four wrestlers in each weight class move on to the Masters Tournament in Stockton.

Cordova High School had 10 boys that competed at the Divisionals. They were 108-lb Khubaib Rafi (9th grade), 115-lb Sulaiman Amiri (11th grade), 120-lb Bryan Perez (12th grade), 127-lb Evan Reed (10th grade), 134-lb Davit Khachatryan (12th grade), 140-lb Rahmanullah Eshan (12th grade), 146-lb Ezekiel Konay (11th grade), 159-lb Jackson Cargo (9th grade), 167-lb Khamani Williams (12th grade), and 190-lb Andrey Vibe (10th grade).

Senior Davit Khachatryan prepares to take down his opponent at the Divisionals. Photo by Rick Sloan

Three Lancer wrestlers placed at the event. They were Amiri who took 5th place, Khachatryn also placing 5th, and Williams who finished in 2nd place, which qualified him for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) Masters on February 16-17 at the Stockton Arena. The top 6 placers at the Masters qualify for State in Bakersfield, California, on February 22-24. Williams fought hard in his matches and won three out of five.  Williams unfortunately missed qualifying for State as he lost his qualifying match.

While the boys were battling it out on the mats at Cordova, the girls competed at the SJS North Regional tournament held at Foothill HS. In the girls’ competition, the top eight qualify for SJS Masters in Stockton on February 16-17. Like the boys, the top six finishers at the Masters move on to the State tournament in Bakersfield. 

Coach David Moore (L) and Head Coach Don Martinez watch as Khamani Williams prepares to pin his opponent. Photo by Rick Sloan

Cordova High had three girls competing this year in the Regionals. They were 145-lb Erika Folorunsho (9th grade), 190-lb Giselle Lopez (11th grade), and 235-lb Macey Meredith (10th grade). Meredith finished in 4th place and Lopez finished in 6th place. Both wrestlers competed at the Masters.

Sophomore Andrey Vibe controls his opponent during a match at the Divisional Tournament. Photo by Rick Sloan

After the smoke cleared at the Stockton Arena, Lopez placed 4th and punched her ticket to State. She will compete in Bakersfield. This is her second year to qualify for State. Congratulations Giselle!

The Lancers started the year off with 70 wrestlers and will return 50 wrestlers next year. They took 2nd in the league, losing a heart breaker to league champion Valley 40-39. With four senior starters out of 14 weight classes graduating this year, they will have several underclassmen to fill that void next year. Several of their wrestlers will be wrestling in the off-season to prepare them for next season.

Coach David Moore (L) and Head Coach Don Martinez watch Khamani Williams in final match at Divisionals. Photo by Rick Sloan

The Cordova Lancer wrestling program is certainly flourishing.  With the success of the two feeder programs at Mitchell and Mills Junior High, every year more experienced wrestlers are added to the Lancer squad. Cordova Head Coach Don Martinez said, “Cordova wrestling has a bright future. Our team worked hard and improved every week. My coaching staff and I will work hard to prepare for next year and look forward to another successful year.”