Moorpark College Takes Lead in State Wrestling Championships

Moorpark College, which took a half a dozen wrestlers into Friday night’s opening round of the state community college wrestling championships, won five matches to move into first place after the first day of competition. Moorpark leads second-place Chabot College by 2 1/2 points, 7 1/2-5.

Scoring victories for Moorpark were Keith Hernandez (118 pounds), Steve Fuess (142), Kurt Mathew (158), Brian Bennett (167) and Ross Boomhower (190). Moorpark heavyweight Ali Rahnavordi suffered a first-round loss, but remains alive in the competition despite having to work his way up through the consolation bracket. He could finish as high as third place.

“We felt we could win the first-round matches,” Moorpark Coach John Keever said. “We’re where we should be.”

Hernandez won his match on a technical fall, Fuess won 6-0 in overtime, Mathew won, 9-0, in overtime and Boomhower won his match on a pin.

Pierce College’s Gary Dickerson defeated Edwin Brown of Sacramento City, 10-6, to advance to today’s 177-pound division quarterfinals. Pierce’s Dennis Rulli, fell to Brian Briggs of San Joaquin Delta, 11-8, in the 126-pound division.