Eagles Make Bakersfield a Believer

There aren’t many high school wrestling teams left that believe Calvary Chapel is young and green this season.

Bakersfield scratched itself off the list after the host Eagles rallied to win Wednesday’s dual meet, 33-29. The victory pushed Calvary Chapel’s dual-meet record to 12-0.

The Drillers, now 2-2 in dual meets, have faced the Eagles three times in the last four seasons and have lost every time.

They had a great chance Wednesday; Calvary Chapel spotted Bakersfield a 17-0 lead because of forfeits in the 215-pound and heavyweight matches, and Darrell Vasquez’s technical fall over the Eagles’ John Jackson in the 103-pound weight class. Calvary Chapel also was without top wrestler Adam Bones (125 pounds), who was sidelined because of an injured left hip.

Bakersfield’s lead grew to 26-12 after Patrick Schallberger’s 7-2 decision over Kurt Finney in the 140-pound class. But Calvary Chapel’s Conan Williams pinned Romiro Hernandez at 5 minutes 20 seconds in the 145-pound division--one of four pins for the Eagles. Earlier, Steve Esparza pinned Adam Cole at 112 pounds in 4:30.

Williams’ victory swung the momentum to Calvary Chapel. Andy Tufnell scored a 5-0 decision over Genaro Valdez at 152 pounds. Mike Porter (4:35) and Peter Mosley (5:56) had pins against Nathan McCauley and Ken Dandy at 160 and 171 pounds. That four-match span gave the Eagles an insurmountable 33-26 lead.

“The pins were the difference,” Eagle Coach John Azevedo said. “Bakersfield is a tough team. I knew we needed pins, not just wins. But I didn’t tell them that; I just wanted them to go out and do their best.”