Multiple Zebras and Rhinos qualify for Masters Championship

Four Twelve Bridges High Rhinos and three Lincoln High Zebras qualified for the Masters tournament, following finishing in the Top 8 at their respective wrestling divisional tournaments on Saturday. Lincoln High School Lincoln High's Zebras were 12th as a team at the Division III tournament and senior Cole Alva had the best individual finish for Lincoln as he came in third at 222 pounds. Alva, who lost his semifinal match, entered the consolation bracket, defeating Anthony Nixon from Merced before beating Wayne Colvin from Golden Valley via a pinfall. "It means a ton to me to qualify and have the opportunity to wrestle the best in the area and I'm glad my work is paying off," Alva said. "My goal at Masters next Saturday is to place in the Top 8 and make it to state." Alva wasn't the only Fighting Zebra to qualify as Kelly Little was eighth at 162 pounds and Ethan Volzer came in fifth at 184 pounds. Additionally, Jesse Smith and Jesus Juarez were ninth in their respective weight classes and are alternates for the Masters. Lincoln also had three girls wrestle at Sac-Joaquin Section regionals with sophomore Savannah Johnston making it to day two of qualifiers before losing in her second round matchup. Caroline Johnson and Jade Guadarrama also made it to regionals. "I was honestly very surprised I was able to make it this far," Johnston said. "Because it was my rookie year, I didn't have high expectations and didn't know what I was getting into but I found a good, willing set of coaches and a group of fellow wrestlers and as a squad, we got me into the postseason." The Masters Championship will take place in Stockton this Friday and Saturday. Twelve Bridges High School The Raging Rhinos placed inside the Top 15 out of 42 teams at the Division V tournament at Foothill High School on Saturday. They had four wrestlers qualify for Masters: Eli Wade, Daniel Rask, Jackson Bowden and Logan Jaekel. Wade finished third at 160 pounds winning in the consolation bracket after losing his quarterfinal contest. Rask, Bowden and Jaekel each placed sixth in their respective weight classes. Prior to the divisionals tournament, the Rhinos had nine wrestlers finish inside the Top 4 at the Pioneer Valley League Championship on Feb. 5. "We have athletes that are eager to learn and improve in practice every day," coach Steven Roman said. "With this experience under their belts, I am looking forward to how they continue to develop next in the offseason and into next year."