Foothill wrestlers score big in finals
Tim Brown Memorial Invitational: Mustangs Trevor Meza and Ryan Nelson register upset victories in their finals.
By Mark McDermott - Bee Correspondent


On a night honoring the memory of U.S. Mariner Corp Lance Corporal Tim Brown, a former Foothill High School wrestler who lost his life serving in Iraq, it was only fitting two Foothill wrestlers would win individual titles. The Memorial Auditorium crowd was treated to the feel-good story of the inaugural Tim Brown Memorial Invitational when unexpectedly

Trevor Meza (143) and Ryan Nelson (155) earned upset victories in the finals. In so doing, they became only the second and third wrestlers in Foothill school history to win at the tournament, which is in its 11th year, the last 10 under the Foothill Invitational moniker. Ed Marx won at 145 pounds in the first event in 1997. Though Nelson and Meza were not teammates of Brown, who competed for the Mustangs from 1999-2003, they had their fallen comrade on their minds and willed themselves to victory. "I didn't win this tournament for me, I did it for Tim," said Nelson (26-5), whose brother James was a Brown teammate. "His mom (Sue Brown) gave us a big hug and kiss and told us to go out and win for Tim." Meza was happy for the Brown family and grateful it could be their to watch. "I was happy I could give them a win for Tim," Meza (22-6) said. Meza, the seventh seed, easily handled the Sacramento area's No. 1-rated Jordan Haley of Ponderosa 9-3.

Two two matches later, Nelson, the fifth seed, beat James Cook of Clovis West 1-0. Foothill coach and tournament director Bill Lum couldn't have been happier. "To have a five seed and a seven side win at a tournament the caliber of this?" he asked. "Oh yeah!" Danz-Welch showdown -- The fans weren't disappointed with the 174-pound final between Ponderosa's Justin Danz (34-2) and Jason Welch of Las Lomas-Walnut Creek. Welch, ranked No. 1 nationally at 160 pounds, moved up hoping to face his friend, who was ranked No. 4 in the nation. Welch first had to dispose of two-time California state champion Louis Bland of Central Catholic 21-11 in the semifinals. Welch (30-0) proved to be the better technician and earned an 8-3 decision. Danz and Welch received a standing ovation, and Welch the heavyweight outstanding wrestler award.

Ponderosa just misses -- The team title went to Buchanan (225 1/2). Ponderosa (222) was second. The Bruins had four finalists, but only Colby Haley (106) and Justin Durham (128) won. Ching winning battle -- Trevor Machado-Ching of Oakdale was the 2005 state champ at 103 pounds and fourth at 112 last year. These days, he doesn't care about being No. 1, staying healthy and leading a normal life is his top goal. Last spring he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer that attacks the lymphatic system which defends the body from foreign invasion by disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Ching, who has struggled on the second day of tournaments, finished third in what was the toughest weight class of the tournament. Triggas wins -- Nikko Triggas (25-1) of Campolindo-Moraga won at 122 pounds. Ranked No. 1 nationally, Triggas (25-1) was the outstanding lightweight wrestler. Phantom seed -- Natomas' Bud Gibson was seeded No. 1 at 133 pounds for the third time in a tournament this season. However, Gibson, who was third in the state at 125 pounds last year for Rio Linda, hasn't wrestled a match yet. He is currently working through an eligibility issue.