Winning is a habit, Success is a choice
The Stockton Record recognized area all stars from the Stockton, Lodi, Manteca, Lathrop, Tracy, and Mt House area. One of only two male wrestlers in the coverage area to qualify for the CIF state tournament in wrestling, Eli Blackwell, a sophomore from Tracy High was recognized as an “All Star Prep” with an awards night June 21, 2018.
Tracy High Senior Sammo Blackwell and sophomore Eli Blackwell are both selected for the San Joaquin Wrestling Association duals team. An all star team representing high schools from Lodi to the north through Merced to the south. Sammo will wrestle at 154 pounds and Eli at 128 pounds.
Also making the all star team from the area is Ricky Lopez of West High (a Bulldog his freshman and sophomore years) that will wrestle at 102 pounds.
The three will be joined by about 20 other wrestlers from the area as a team against the best wrestlers grouped in respective teams at the CA state association duals this weekend.
The team will be coached by another THS Bulldog as in the Turlock High Bulldogs coach and 2x California high school state champion Lewis Gonzalez.
Seniors Sammo Blackwell and Brock McCarty were recipients of the 2018 scholarship named in memoriam of Danae Marie Dias who was a Tracy High wrestling fan, statistician (mat maid) and Tracy High student class of 1987.
The scholarship is for the senior scholar-athlete wrestler who has “True Grit” – a leader on and off the mat.
Tracy High sophomore completed his run securing the championship at the US Open / Western Regional folkstyle tournament in Las Vegas beating a Washington state medalist in the final by a score of 8-3.
Tracy High’s Eli Blackwell is the first Tracy High state medalist in freestyle at the Junior division level in this decade since his older brother and current coach was a dual Freestyle and Greco state medalist. Competes next week at the US Open in Las Vegas.
Congratulations to all of this year’s wresting TCAL All-league selections:
Congratulations to Tracy high wrestlers maintaining excellent academic standing while wrestling.
Special award given to Alex Gougousis who maintained a 4.0 GPA
Tracy High senior, Sammo Blackwell, was named athlete of the month by the Tracy Press for his flawless league wrestling campaign. He was also undefeated in pre-season duals as well.
The Tracy Press’ sports editor, Bob Brownne, came to the Stockton Arena to witness Tracy High’s Eli Blackwell qualify for the CIF State Tournament.
Tracy High sophomore Eli Blackwell in two consecutive weeks has reached the podium of section divisional and section masters wrestling tournaments. He has now qualified himself to compete in the pinnacle of California high school wrestling, the CIF state tournament. The tournament will take place at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield this weekend.