CYPRESS — There are some familiar team names in the hunt for the UIL Class 5A boys wrestling championship.
After Day 1, three of the four teams from last year’s standings are in the top four after the opening day of competition at The Berry Center.
Lucas Lovejoy, last year’s defending champion, is back in the driver’s seat with 62 points. The next four teams are separated by 11 points — Amarillo Tascosa (56), Dumas (50), Killeen Ellison (47) and Canyon Randall (45 ½).
Dumas was the runner-up last year, while Tascosa finished fourth.
Six of the seven left for the defending champion Jaguars are in the semifinals.
Jackson Lambert (42-7) upset No. 4-ranked Malachi McClenton of Amarillo Caprock by a 4-2 sudden victory at 120 pounds.
Mercer Ashely (144) picked up a pair of wins by decisions to reach the semifinals. No. 6-ranked Corey Soliz (165) beat No. 5 Xavier Montemayor of Lubbock Coronado in the first round. Jackson Dubree (190), No. 1-ranked Payton Pierce (215) and No. 1-ranked Sam Reynolds (285) also posted 2-0 days for the Jaguars.
One of the bigger opening days belonged to junior Isaac Zapata from Georgetown.
He opened with a match against No. 2-ranked Markesit Wright of Dallas South Oak Cliff and went out to post an 11-0 major decision….
