BENICIA HIGH’S wrestling program honored its seniors before Wednesday night’s dual meet with visiting Fairfield. Pictured are (from left) Cecilia Yaniz, Joseph Hurst, Brandon Ajari, Christian Ramos, Jimmy Butts, Steven Rohrer and Ricki Liang.

Benicia High’s wrestling team remained undefeated in the Solano County Athletic Conference after brushing aside the visiting Fairfield Falcons, 71-9, Wednesday on Senior Night for the Panthers.

It was the 16th straight SCAC victory for the Panthers dating back to 2012. Benicia (4-0 SCAC) will travel to American Canyon (4-0) next Wednesday to determine the conference team championship.

“They always have the biggest lineup,” Benicia head coach Japheth Aquino said of American Canyon. “But we’re pretty confident in what we’ve done all year and we’re looking forward to sealing the deal. We’ve seen a lot of good teams from different Sections and we stack up pretty well.”

It’s the third straight year the Panthers and Wolves meet unbeaten in the regular-season finale. Benicia won its first SCAC title with a 45-19 victory over the Wolves in 2013 and repeated as champions after a 52-6 victory last year. American Canyon has never beaten the Panthers.

“We’re gonna put our whole varsity lineup against them and it should be a good dual,” said Benicia senior Brandon Ajari.

Ajari was one of only five Panthers who got a chance to wrestle Wednesday against the Falcons (1-3 SCAC). The senior dominated Payton Bailey in their 197-pound bout and secured a pin with 1:02 left in the second period.

“It was a good feeling to be out there and get a win, especially in a last home dual,” Ajari said. “We need to get good workouts and it’s fun when you get a match.”

Teammate Christian Ramos (122) already had a 2-0 lead when he pinned Rodrigo Lopez with 1:11 left in the first period. Joseph Salt (184) was in complete control against Fairfield’s Lawrence Correa and won a 15-0 tech fall in the second period.

Robert Savinski (128) earned Fairfield’s only pin of the night and Curtis Allen (145) added three more points for the Falcons with a 3-2 decision. Fairfield forfeited the remaining nine matches.

“We always have kids we can use to get them some experience,” Aquino said. “We want to win every match out there and the goal for our younger kids is to go out there an try to get a win.”

Ajari and fellow Benicia High wrestling seniors Cecilia Yaniz, Joseph Hurst, Christian Ramos, Jimmy Butts, Steven Rohrer and Ricki Liang were honored before the dual meet.

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