BENICIA HIGH had a dozen wrestlers win individual titles at the Solano County Athletic Conference championships on Friday. Winners include (back row from left) Brandon Ajari, Lysander Mahilum, Joseph Salt; (middle row) Ryley Boutain, Fernando Lanza, Imad Adel, Christian Ramos, Alejandro Lanza, Tyler Kay, Joseph Hurst; (front row) Mason Boutain and Steve Rohrer.

Benicia High had 12 different wrestlers win individual titles at Friday’s Solano County Athletic Conference Championships in Benicia.

The dozen SCAC titles – out of 14 total weight classes – was the most in Benicia High history, topping the nine championships the Panthers won last year. Benicia easily won the team championship for a third straight year with 262.5 points. American Canyon was a distant second with 161 points.

“The kids went out and dominated and that’s what we expect from them,” said Benicia wrestling coach Japheth Aquino. “We set up a challenging tournament schedule this season and I think that got us ready.”

Benicia seniors Christian Ramos and Steven Rohrer became the first Panther wrestlers to win four SCAC individual championships in their careers. Ramos needed to wrestle only one match and pinned Vanden’s Daniel Renbarger in the first period to win the 108-pound division. Rohrer, who dropped down from heavyweight to the 197-pound class this season, also needed to win only one match and pinned Vallejo’s Antonio Bond in the first period for the championship.

“He’s a tough kid,” Aquino said of Rohrer. “I remember teaching him in seventh grade and he’s improved so much since then.”

“Ever since I won it as a freshman, I had it in my head to win a championship all four years here,” Rohrer said.

Benicia’s Lysander Mahilum won the 115-pound title with a first-period pin and teammate Alejandro Lanza won the 122-pound title with a second-period pin. Ryley Boutain came back from a 4-1 deficit and captured the 128-pound championship with a tough 9-6 decision. Fernando Lanza (134) took first place with a quick pin of American Canyon’s Matt Berrios.

Mason Boutain won the 140-pound title with a tech fall, Tyler Kay won at 154 pounds with a first-period pin, and senior Joseph Hurst won the championship at 162 pounds. Other Benicia champions included senior Brandon Ajari (172) and Joseph Salt (184) and Imad Adel (222).

Vallejo’s Michael Franco beat Benicia’s Jack Manoukian to win the heavyweight championship. American Canyon’s Jimmy Hoang won the 147-pound title.

Benicia will host the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Individual Tournament beginning this Friday.

“I want to win divisionals, make the top four in Masters and make it to State,” Rohrer said. “That’s the plan.”

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