Hayes and Graves take home state titles from Fresno

Mike Adams

December 24, 2015

Palomar’s No. 1-ranked, Alex Graves, matches up against Santa Anna College wrestler, Ty Freeman at the Dome, Palomar College, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. Graves’s fast pace agility wins him the match by pin in 3 min. 41 sec. which assists Palomar in their final team score of 32-9. (Brandy Sebastian/The Telescope)

Seville Hayes and Alex Graves both became the first Comet wrestlers since 2007 to win a state title at the CCCAA State Champions earlier this month held at Fresno City College. Hayes, a freshman and Marine Corps veteran, earned the Heavyweight championship by decision over Cerritos College’s Jesse Gomez. The loss was Gomez’s first since the heavyweight title match last year.

Hayes was named the PCAC Male Athlete of the Week for his performance.

Palomar’s No. 1-ranked, Alex Graves, matches up against Santa Anna College wrestler, Ty Freeman at the Dome, Oct. 28, 2015. Brandy Sebastian/The Telescope

At 184 pounds Alex Graves (San Marcos), who finished third at state last year, trounced the competition culminating with his 20-5 victory via technical fall over Santa Rosa’s Jhaylyn Hall in the final.

It was the first time since 2003 that Palomar took home multiple state titles as coach Brody Barrios’ squad finished fourth overall out of the 20-team field. Jake Schaefer, 133 pounds, and Alex Gallo, 174 pounds, both took home third place finishes.
Sacramento City College won the overall state title.

Palomar qualified nine wrestlers for the state championships at the So Cal finals at Mt. SAC. Graves and Erik Collin (San Marcos) entered the State finals ranked number one at their weights.

More on Palomar wrestling: Wrestling team grapples with “sweat, blood”

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