Orland's Esquivel pins down 6th at state

It was a triumphant trip of Orland High wrestlers that returned from the Boys State Championships held Friday and Saturday at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, but none more so than Trojans 112-pounder Hermilo Esquivel.

The sophomore capped off an outstanding season by finishing sixth in his weight class, becoming just the sixth Orland wrestler to place at the state meet, and the first-ever sophomore.

Esquivel's final record for the year was 45-5 with 25 pins, so north state wrestlers have two more years of him to prepare for.

Christian Wathen, also a sophomore, was stopped just one match from placing in the final eight at 135, and closed out the season 44-7.

Nathan Monck (119) went 2-2 in Bakersfield, and wound up 44-9 with 30 pins to his credit.