Wrestling second only to Oakdale at VOL Dual meet

The Manteca High wrestling program huddles up on the mats during the Valley Oak League Dual Meet on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Angel Tornero/The Tower)

The Tower

Manteca High wrestling coach Vince Bordi stood tall over the mats at Synergy Gym on Wednesday afternoon, begging his senior Aidan Marshall to breath.

In sweatpants and a loose-fitting shirt, Bordi looked less a coach and more like the 215-pounder that finished on the medal stand at the CIF State Meet as a senior at Manteca High in 2006.

Despite conditioning issues, Marshall shined in front of a large home crowd, guiding the Buffaloes to a second-place finish and a berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Team Duals on Jan. 28 at Lincoln High in Stockton. It’s a benchmark moment for a program adjusting to Bordi’s coaching style.

Marshall Law

Manteca High senior Aidan Marshall went 4-1 during the Valley Oak League Dual Meet on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2023. His only loss was to an Oakdale grappler in overtime.
(Angel Tornero/The Tower)

Manteca was second only to Oakdale, perennially one of the top programs in Northern California.

“We’ve hit a benchmark, but honestly, I feel like this has got to be the floor for us,” Bordi said. “Second in league is something that should be automatic. Now we just got to go up from here.”

Marshall, a senior, reflects Manteca’s promise and potential. His performances on Wednesday hinted at stronger wrestling to come. The two-sport athlete is still transitioning from the football season, which ended in December with a run to a CIF State Northern California regional bowl. He’s not quite yet in wrestling shape, Bordi said of Marshall, whose only loss was to an Oakdale wrestler in overtime.

“If we’re properly conditioned, we maybe win that match,” Bordi said.

On Wednesday, Manteca’s only loss was to Oakdale, 63-12. The Buffaloes edged Central Catholic in both the standings and on the mat, 42-36.

Misael Meza led all Buffaloes with a 5-0 record, while Winston Snyder joined Marshall with four victories in five matches. Freshman Peter Espinoza was 3-2.

Manteca High wrestling coach Vince Bordi helped guide the Buffaloes to a second-place finish at the Valley Oak League Dual Meet on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Angel Tornero/The Tower)

“I wasn’t impressed with how we wrestled, but we put so much time in the room that we were that much better,” Bordi said. “We had an off day and still had the advantage. … At the end of the day, it’s about results.”

In February, wrestlers across the state will make their run at the CIF State Meet, where Bordi placed second as a senior. The run-up begins with three qualifying tournaments: the Valley Oak League championships, followed by the Sac-Joaquin Section Divisionals and Masters meets.

“It shows that there’s been improvement,” Bordi said. “In order to make it to the next level, our guys need to bring a little more energy. Team Divisionals is cool, but where I want to make our money is in February.”