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Photo by Hugh Cox.
Photo by Hugh Cox.
Posted: Oct 26, 2024

Palomar Dominates Meathead Movers Invitational with First-Place Finish

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (10/26/2024) -- Palomar College wrestling delivered a standout performance at the Meathead Movers Invitational, hosted by Cuesta College. In a fiercely contested tournament, Palomar clinched the top spot with an impressive team score of 179.5, significantly outpacing second-place Cuesta College by over 40 points. This victory not only highlights Palomar's dominance but also solidifies their status as one of California's premier community college wrestling programs this season.

Key Individual Performances

Palomar's success was powered by several standout individual performances, with multiple wrestlers capturing first-place finishes and key placements across weight classes:

  • 125 lbs.: Caden Hanover continued his strong season with a first-place finish, setting the tone early for Palomar with a decisive win over Blade Owens of Victor Valley College.

  • 141 lbs.: Diego Peraza delivered another impressive performance, claiming first place in his bracket. Peraza's victory over Shawn Torres of Rio Hondo College was pivotal in building momentum for Palomar.

  • 157 lbs.: Anthony Perez showcased his skill and determination, taking the top spot at 157 lbs. with a hard-fought win over Grant Eklund of Cuesta College. Perez's performance added critical points to Palomar's team total.

  • 184 lbs.: Ivan Natceli dominated the 184-lb. division to secure first place, while his teammate Rabih Badrani placed third, and Danny Cox added to Palomar's depth with a fifth-place finish. This impressive showing in the 184-lb. weight class further solidified Palomar's commanding team lead.

Palomar also achieved high placements in other weight classes:

  • 174 lbs.: DJ Weimer captured second place, adding significant points to Palomar's score and showcasing resilience in a challenging division.

  • 197 lbs.: Dylan Henry earned a well-fought second place, and Jakar Carter rounded out Palomar's success in this class with a fourth-place finish.

  • 285 lbs.: Heavyweight wrestler Mustafa Farha contributed with a solid third-place finish, rounding out Palomar's success across multiple weight classes.

A Dominant Team Effort

Palomar's impressive performance at the Meathead Movers Invitational underscores the team's depth and determination, as they placed wrestlers in the top six across nearly every weight class. This collective effort allowed Palomar to pull ahead of Cuesta College (136 points) and Rio Hondo College (134.5 points), finishing with an outstanding 179.5 points to capture the title.

Looking Ahead

Palomar College's performance at Cuesta solidifies their reputation as a powerhouse in California community college wrestling. With a combination of top-tier individual performances and team depth, Palomar is well-prepared to continue their momentum in upcoming competitions.