STATE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING : Poway Moves Out to Big First-Day Advantage, Places Five in Semifinals

Poway High School is well on its way to the state wrestling championship, even though the first-day scores are not official because of computer scoring problems.

The Titans, who dominated the San Diego Section Masters meet last Saturday, scored 69 points during the first day of competition at the state tournament at Independence High School in San Jose, easily outdistancing the 35 scored by second-place El Dorado.

Poway also placed five wrestlers in today’s championship semifinal round. No other school has more than three.

But the Titans aren’t the only San Diego school doing well. Valhalla, the defending state champion, is in sixth place with 23 1/2 points and within striking distance of No. 3 Vacaville (29), Clovis (27) and host Independence (24 1/2). Monte Vista is 14th with 14.

Eight local wrestlers also are still in contention for individual titles.

As expected, El Camino’s John Grubbs (101) and Valhalla’s Mark Gerardi (149), a defending state champion, breezed through the first three rounds and into today’s semifinal competition. The finals are scheduled for tonight.

Gerardi, who won the 141-pound division last year as a sophomore, put on the most impressive show Friday among local wrestlers. After drawing a first-round bye, he won two matches by technical falls to advance.

Grubbs, a two-time defending Masters champion, drew a bye and then won two decisions, 13-6 and 8-0, to advance.

Poway freshman Shane Rosselle (101) was the biggest surprise in Friday’s competition. He also won three matches and advanced to the semifinals after finishing third in San Diego.

Other San Diego wrestlers in championship contention include: Frank Torres of San Marcos (130) and Poway’s Mark Fredrick (142), Trace Smith (149), Jesse John (158) and Harold Jones (195).

Other San Diego schools’ scores include: San Marcos (11 1/2); El Camino (9 1/2); Granite Hills and Mt. Carmel (6 each); Escondido, Mount Miguel and Serra (4 each); Hoover (2), and Clairemont (1).

Overall, 26 of San Diego’s 39 state qualifiers will compete today in the championship and consolation rounds.