Austin Branum’s major upset stole the show and Del Oro High posted another impressive finish at the Tim Brown Memorial Wrestling Tournament at the Sacramento Auditorium Saturday.
Branum was named the outstanding lightweight wrestler at the 84-team event after stunning Calaveras’ Shane Tate in the finals at 130 pounds. Branum, a sophomore, got one takedown and that’s all he needed against the state’s second-ranked 130-pounder in the championship match.
Senior Jesse Stafford, the state’s No. 1-ranked 152-pounder, claimed another title for Del Oro. He beat his opponent from Clovis East 8-3 in the finals.
Del Oro’s Kevin Burrage made the finals at 140, but lost. The Golden Eagles took fourth as a team.
Ponderosa won the tournament while Clovis East was second and Orland was third.
Placer senior Joe Thornton wrestled his way to eighth place at the prestigious tournament to lead the Hillmen. Dalton Richardson, Carl Pavich and Andrew Naleway joined Thornton in advancing to the second day of the tournament.

Placer 55, Bear River 18 at Lake of the Pines — The Hillmen cruised to 4-0 in the Pioneer Valley League on Thursday.
Dalton Richardson’s pin at 130 pounds sparked a string of seven pins in eight matches as Placer wrapped up the victory. Mitchell Maddox (135), Joe Thornton (145), Aaron Maddox (152), Steven Cox (160), Mike Robinson (171) and Jake Lewis (191) reeled off wins by fall for the Hillmen.
Andrew Naleway won by decision at 125 for the Hillmen while Justin Mason and Jake Styler were winners by forfeit.
Bear River got pins from Juan Gudino (119) and Jacob Robinson (140). Jory Gemignani (112) and Mike Merrill (215) won decisions for the Bruins.