Grapplers celebrate for seniors

The Loyd Hobby Gymnasium was buzzing for senior night as the Mariposa County High School Wrestling team hosted Denair and Waterford at MCHS on Jan. 21.

It was all about the seniors as the team celebrated the group before hitting the mats during their final home meet of the season.

Seniors on the wrestling team this season are Bruce Tardy, Allen Wilson, Arturo Lozano, Brandon Marquez, Eamon Fluharty, Kaleb Stewart, Danny Soto, Isaiah Diaz, Liam Davis, Brody James, Wyatt Lockett, Brittany Vargas, Lillie Cook and Sophie Forga.

“This is a special year for us,” said coach Scott Seymour.

“Some of these seniors have wrestled with us for quite awhile and some have decided to come out do this for their first time.”

James has been wrestling for one year.

“After graduation he plans to attend Merced College,” Seymour said.

“His favorite memory is learning from his mistakes.”

Soto has also only been wrestling for one year.

“His favorite memory is wrestling with his friends,” Seymour read.

Fluharty is in his second year wrestling on the varsity squad.

“His plans are to go to a four year school,” continued Seymour.

“His favorite memories are the long bus rides with his friends and placing in varsity tournaments.”

Diaz is a senior who has been wrestling with MCHS for just one year.

“Isaiah’s favorite memory from this sport is getting a medal for coming in second during a tournament with 22 schools,” the coach said.

“Thank you Isaiah.”

Stewart has been wrestling all four years of high school.

“He plans to graduate early and his favorite memory is going to the Morrow Bay tournament.”

Davis has been wrestling for three years and upon graduation he plans to go to Viola University to work towards becoming a pastor.

“His favorite memories are riding to and from tournaments and duals,” Seymour said.

Lockett has been wrestling for four years.

Lockett’s plan is to attend Merced College for electrical certification.

“Wyatt would like to thank his grandma for everything,” Seymour said.

Vargas has been a part of the team for the past three years.

“Brittany’s favorite memory is when she and the girls went to get Boba in Morrow Bay and were hiding from coach Holly,” Seymour laughed.

Cook has been wrestling for three years.

“Her favorite memory is practicing with her partner Evalyn and laughing till they couldn’t breathe,” Seymour said.

Cook thanked her coaches and parents for supporting her.

Forga has been wrestling with the team for four years.

Seymour explained Forga’s favorite memory was from last year’s wrestling season when she was “getting destroyed at a dual match til she regained her composure and flipped over her opponent and won.”

Marquez has been wrestling for two years.

“After high school he wants to become a paramedic,” continued Seymour.

“He will keep working and training so he can helps others in need and make a difference.”

Lozano has been wrestling for all four years of high school.

“His favorite memory was when the team went surfing last year in Morrow Bay,” read Seymour.