Mission College mens wrestling team finished 10th at the Santa Ana College Invitational held on October 3, 2026, in Santa Ana, California. The Monarchs were led by three wrestlers who placed in the top five of their respective weight classes.
Andres Juarez, ranked No. 8 in the state at 125 pounds, earned third place after winning five of six bouts. Juarez advanced to the semifinals with victories by technical fall, fall and major decision, before losing to top-ranked Paulo Valdez. He then won two wrestle-back matches, including a decision against Cerritos Rikki Villasenor, to secure third place.
At 174 pounds, Gael Rivera Reynoso made an impressive career debut, placing fourth. He pinned No. 5 Wendell Mitchell of Mt. San Antonio College and finished with a 4-2 record.
Mark Gonzales, competing at 197 pounds, placed fifth. Coming off an undefeated championship at 220 pounds at the Dave Pacheco Invitational two weeks earlier, Gonzales won his first-round and quarterfinal matches before losing in the semifinal and initial wrestle-back bout. He closed the day with a win in the fifth-place match.
The Monarchs are scheduled to host their first-ever home dual match on Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. in the Mission College Gymnasium.
CSB Take
The strong top-five finishes by Andres Juarez, Gael Rivera Reynoso and Mark Gonzales demonstrate promising talent within the Mission College Monarchs mens wrestling team. Their performances at the Santa Ana College Invitational provide momentum as the program prepares for its inaugural home dual match, setting a positive tone for the 2026-27 season. Continued development and competitive experience will be essential for the Monarchs to build on this foundation and achieve greater team success.
Source: Original report
