The West High wrestling team started its wrestling season by proving itself the better of two defending league champions.

West beat Lodi 45-24, in a dual match on Thursday, Nov. 29, at West High.

It’s a good sign for the Wolf Pack, which hopes to gain its third consecutive Tri-City Athletic League title this year. Lodi is the defending champion of the San Joaquin Athletic Association.

The Wolf Pack won nine of the 14 matches, including five by pin.

“They beat us last year. I don’t like losing to them twice,” said West coach Carlos Salazar. “I think our conditioning still needs a lot of work. I didn’t know, after losing so many seniors (from last year), what to expect. The captains stepped up and the new guys definitely stepped up.”

Among the new varsity wrestlers to get wins, sophomore Jared Dolor, wrestling in the 113 weight class, made a quick reversal in the second round to pin Lodi’s Robert Meza in 2:29.

Sophomore Alex Soto (132) beat Lodi’s Parker Sterni on a 7-0 decision, and junior Robert Misko (195) pinned Nathan Graves in 5:10.

West senior Roy Bravo (145) pinned Josh Smith in 3:56, senior Scott Romo (160) beat Jacob Marcee on an 18-11 decision, senior Alex Del Campo (170) pinned Chad Mancuso in 1:37, senior Amrit Singh (220) beat Kory Green on a 14-1 major decision, junior Ron Sasing (106) pinned Josh Houser in 1:12, and senior Jeff Sapiandante (120) beat Anthony Cantu on a 17-1 technical pin.

Lodi won three matches by pin and two on decisions.

West won the junior varsity match 45-30.

Contact Bob Brownne at 830-4227 or brownne@tracypress.com.