Cuesta Wrestling claimed 4th place at the 10-team Modesto Tournament last Saturday, while posting an overall team record of 33-27. Returning All Americans Preston Scharf and Chance Evans did not compete in the meet, but Sophomore Grant Eklund led the Cougars with a 1st place finish at 157, while breaking also a school record for career winning percentage. Overall, the Cougars placed eight grapplers on the podium, including Kaden Pryor, who earned a Silver at 149. Pryor, who boasts a team-high 14 wins on the season, was joined on the podium by teammate and 2024 State Qualifier Luke Vanbrabant, who took 5th in the division. In the lower weights, Freshman Johny Navarette (125) and Sophomore Dom Marquez (133) both took 4th in their divisions. In the upper divisions, Sophomores Kodie Cooks (174) and Drew Croft (185) both placed 5th overall, while 2024 State Place Winner Marshall Beecham had to settle for 6th place after a tiebreaker.
In addition to the Modesto Tournment, the Cougars picked up a non-conference dual victory in Hayward on Friday, while they made their way to Modesto. The Cougars beat the host Gladiators, 32-19, despite forfeiting at both 197 and 285. Cuesta is now 1-1 in duals, while Coach Joe Dansby, the Cougars' sixth coach since the 1965-66 season, inched closer to Gary Meissner's (1972-2000) Cuesta Dual Record of 130 wins. Dansby, who is in his 24th season, is now standing at 124 wins. He and the Cougars have the Southern Dual Tournament this weekend and four more SouthEast Conference Duals on the 2025 schedule.
The Cougars are back on the mats this Saturday (All Day) with the Southern Dual Tournament in Walnut at Mt San Antonio College.
All-Time Cuesta Coaching Win Record (10/13/25)
- Gary Meissner (1972-2000)- 130
- Joe Dansby (2001-Present)- 124
- Warren Hansen (1965-68)- 16
- Carmen Mauro (1969)- 15
- Lennis Cowell (1971)- 7
- Sid Bennett (1970)- 4
