Community College Wrestling Regionals : Cypress’ Goodwin Remains Unbeaten

Cypress College’s Sean Goodwin improved his record to 32-0 Friday by defeating Moorpark’s Ross Boomhower, 8-3, in the South Central Regional wrestling tournament at Cypress.

Goodwin, wrestling at 191 pounds, was one of six Chargers to qualify for the state community college championships next Friday and Saturday at Bakersfield College.

Other division winners for Cypress were Bill Weatherhill at 158 pounds, Joey Gillis at 167 and Bill Flores at 275. Dwayne Denolf, who finished second in the 134-pound division, and Ed Nelson, who took third in the 126-pound division, also qualified for the state championship. The top three wrestlers in each weight class advanced.

“I thought our wrestlers performed really well,” Cypress Coach Ray Haas said. “A couple of the guys had the flu this week, but they held up. We’ll use the week before the championships to recuperate.”

Goodwin was one of the Chargers who was ill, but it didn’t stop him from defeating Boomhower for the fourth time this season.

“I felt a little weak out there, but I stuck to my game plan, which was to wrestle smart,” Goodwin said. “I never felt like I was in danger, but I knew I’d have to wrestle well to win.”

Said Haas: “As far as I’m concerned, Goodwin is the best junior college wrestler in California. Barring an unforeseen injury, I have confidence that he will be able to wrestle successfully at a Division-I school.”

In the Southern Regional tournament at Golden West, six wrestlers from Rancho Santiago and three from Golden West advanced to the state tournament.

Alpert Arnold of Rancho Santiago defeated Brent Verch of El Camino, 4-2, to win the 134-pound division.

At 142 pounds, Rancho Santiago’s Bill Furnish finished third.

Paul Herrera of Golden West defeated Tony George of Rancho Santiago at 150 and both advance. Matt Fletcher of Rancho Santiago finished third at 167.

At 190 pounds, Golden West’s Andy Peterson finished second and Tony Pane of Rancho Santiago third.

Golden West’s Marc McBride finshed third in the heavyweight division. Denny Furnish finished second at 158.