Knowing his team would have to forfeit four weight classes in the first round of the City Dual Championships last Wednesday versus Canoga Park, Palisades High wrestling coach Mike Lawlor hoped the Dolphins could perform their best to earn another crack at Birmingham, which beat the Dolphins in a tri-meet earlier in the season.
Palisades was game all the way but chased points from the start and was unable to overcome a 16-0 deficit, ultimately falling to the fourth-seeded Hunters 49-21.
Flynn Gartin got the Dolphins on the scoreboard with a major decision over Canoga Park’s Gabe Gonzalez at 126 pounds. James Van Wagenen lost to Adrian Escobar 6-0 at 120 and Robbie Rosen battled hard for three periods but lost 12-5 to Brian Baez at 138. Back-to-back pins by Parker Field (145) and Derek Anwar (152) narrowed the deficit to 23-16 but that was as close as fifth-seeded Palisades got. After Canoga Park won at both 160 and 170 pounds to widen the gap, Cole Rowland escaped a near fall in the first period to beat Antonio Hernandez by pin at 182 to secure the Dolphins’ final six points. They had no wrestlers in the 106, 113, 220 and heavyweight divisions—a total of 24 points lost.
Palisades won the inaugural City Duals tournament in 2014 and came in second the next two seasons. Palisades was runner-up to Birmingham at the City Championships last winter. The top-seeded Patriots advanced via forfeit over Canoga Park and No. 2 Banning ousted No. 3 Franklin 49-30 in the other semifinal. Birmingham hosted Banning for the dual meet crown Tuesday.
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