Merced’s Medina, Hamel win section titles

Merced High wrestler Romeo Medina felt he had something to prove this weekend after falling short at the Central California Conference championships last week.

The extra motivation served the defending section champ well as the senior breezed through the 152-pound division to win a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I-AA championship on Saturday at Del Oro High.

“It was a big push for me to go the extra mile to take this tournament,” Medina said. “I had to show everyone I’m still a top champion.”

Medina won his first two matches on Friday 8-0 and 16-4 to set up a semifinal showdown with Folsom’s Jason Bergquist, who is ranked fourth in the section and 12th in the state.

Medina defeated Bergquist 6-0. Then he went on pin Del Oro’s Dustin Edwards in the final in 3 minutes, 51 seconds.

“If anything, I’m going to work even harder this week because sections is no joke,” Medina said. “I want to keep the ball rolling and become a two-time section champ.”

Also working his way to the top of the medal stand was fellow Merced High senior Kenneth Hammel, who defeated Del Oro’s Brandon Jepson 4-1 in the 182-pound final.

Hamel’s best finish at divisionals was a fourth last year.

“It feels rewarding because I’ve put a lot of work into this,” Hamel said. “I finally made my goal.”

Hamel took a 2-0 lead with a takedown late in the first round against Jepson. Hamel led 2-1 in the third when he scored another takedown.

“Getting that takedown in the first showed I could score on him,” Hamel said. “One thing led to antother and I was able to win, but that was a big point in the match for me.”

Buhach Colony senior Jay Johnson made a strong run in the tournament and finished second at 195-pounds after a 5-2 loss in the finals to Lincoln’s Yates Hunter, who is ranked No. 1 in the section.

Golden Valley, fifth in team standings, earned thirds by Tanner Browning (113), Jacob Perry (126) and Joey Terry (138). The top eight go to Masters this week in Stockton.

Division IV and V

Rainer Colina of Livingston decisioned Luis Saucedo of Central Valley 12-4 in the 113-pound title match of the Division IV Championships at Foothill High.

Led by Joshua Strauss’ first-place finish at 160 pounds, Los Banos finished in second place in the team race. The Tigers’ John Bustamonte finished second at 132 pounds after dropping a 7-5 decision in the final to Patterson’s Daniel Cota.

The top four in each weight class at Foothill will advance to Masters.

Cody Renfro of Hilmar (170) won an individual title at the Division V championships at Sonora High.

This story was originally published February 22, 2015 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Merced’s Medina, Hamel win section titles."