Sunday, February 19, 2023

LJ wrestling: Tranheim, Rinaldi go far in Masters

Tora Tranheim wins by pin in 2:51 in an exhibition
on Senior Night Jan. 18 against
Canyon Hills. (Photos by Ed Piper)


By Ed Piper

Senior Tora Tranheim, at 133 pounds, and junior Gustav Rinaldi, at 162, showed the Vikings' many-faceted attack and versatility, reaching the second day of the CIF Masters tournament at Mission Hills High Sat., Feb. 18, and showing their stuff.

Tranheim, a student from Norway, is one of four girls who have competed for La Jolla this year, including junior Ella Roman, sophomore Matisse Pickett, and sophomore Maddie Quach. Tranheim went the farthest of any of them, into day two of the prestigious Masters meet, which pits survivors of the initial CIF meet the week before against one another.

At Mission Hills, Tora lost in a fall to Kyli Stanley of Granite Hills in 55 seconds. She then passed on as the survivor of a second match against Makenna Harbin of Olympian, facing Alyssa Jones of Rancho Bernardo, though losing in 2:44 by a pin. Tranheim gained three points for the Vikings.

Viking Gustav Rinaldi, at 162 pounds, gets his hand
raised after pinning Jad Carruthers of Patrick Henry
at the Willie Jones Jr. City Conference tourney
Jan. 28.


Rinaldi was one of several Vikings who had to rotate and compete above their normal weight class, since La Jolla didn't have a 170-pounder during Eastern League dual meets. Gustav, with another year of eligibility remaining, stood out among multiple Viking wrestlers this year, including Charlie and Jack Long, Noah Pace, and Jax Espinosa.

Gustav, who also goes by Gus, likewise gained three team points for La Jolla with his participation in Masters Friday and Saturday. He decisioned Erick Ulloa of Monte Vista, 12-7 in his first match at Mission Hills, then was pinned by Joe Anthony Perez of La Costa Canyon in 25 seconds.

La Jolla won the Eastern League title this year with an unblemished 5-0 record, to put itself up there with the outstanding 2011-2012 team 11 years ago.

Also at Mission Hills, Pace at 108 pounds competed, as did Caden Kestler at 147. Pace gained two team points for LJHS.

Freshman Noah Pace (right), at 108 pounds, dominates
Jason Brennan of Mountain Empire before
pinning him in 2:50 at the CIF meet
at Lincoln High Feb. 11.


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