November 22, 2025
Garcia Takes First in ELAC Brawl
Andre Garcia won the 133 pound bracket at the 2025 East LA College Brawl on Saturday afternoon.
Release by John Salzer
MONTEREY PARK, Calif. - The Santa Ana Dons wrestling team sent six wrestlers to the ELAC Brawl wrestling tournament, the final in season tournament before the post season begins in December. Three wrestlers were able to place at the tournament, including two wrestlers making it to the finals for the first time in their SAC wrestling careers.
Andre Garcia at 133 pounds was the standout wrestler for the Dons, advancing to the finals on the strength of two technical falls, and one fall. In the finals, Garcia wrestled Edmon Altunyan of Rio Hondo College for the second time this season, not allowing any points in the finals match on his way to a 6-0 victory, thus claiming the 133-pound title. Alexander Pichette at 174 pounds also managed to make the finals, managing a technical fall in the quarter-finals, and a first period fall in the semi-finals to guarantee a medal for himself. He would finish 2nd place after losing by fall to Preston Scharf of Cuesta College. The third placer for the Dons was Brandon Peoples at 125 pounds, who was able to wrestle his way through the consolation bracket, finishing 4th place for the day.
Santa Ana Dons ELAC Brawl results and placings
125 - Brandon Peoples, 2-2 (4th place)
133 - Andre Garcia, 4-0 (1st place)
149 - Aaron Lopez, 0-2
157 - Jose Lira, 1-2
174 - Alexander Pichette, 2-1 (2nd place)
184 - Steven Thornton, 1-2
The Dons wrestling team will be wrestling at the 3C2A Southern Regionals Wrestling tournament at Lemoore College on December 5th. The top 8 placers in each weight class will qualify for the 3C2A state championships.