State Wrestling : Phillips, Sims Roll to Individual Titles

For Capistrano Valley High School’s Mike Phillips, it’s over. Everything he dreamed about and promised himself as a mediocre freshman wrestler has come true.

For Heath Sims of Woodbridge, it has just begun, which is still hard for him to believe.

Phillips, a senior wrestling at 145 pounds, and Sims (132), a junior, each won individual championships during Saturday’s CIF State Wrestling Tournament at the University of the Pacific.

It was the second straight state championship for Phillips--Capistrano Valley’s first two-time champion--something he dreamed about winning just once as a freshman.

“This is the fulfillment of the contract I made to myself back then,” he said.

Phillips defeated Cabrillo’s Guillermo Zubia, 14-5, in the final. It was the type of dominating performance that has exemplified Phillips’ senior season. He ended it at 51-1, his only loss coming on an injury forfeit in the Masters final.

“The biggest difference this season has been my confidence,” he said. “Although, I must admit, I liked being the underdog as a junior.”

Which brings us to Sims, who defeated San Clemente’s Brett Fry, 8-3.

Like Phillips, Sims started competing as a freshman. Also like Phillips, he started slow. While leading one match last season, Sims tried a roll move only to pin himself.

When he came to the state tournament last season, he did it as a paying customer.

“I watched those guys last year, guys like Phillips, and I thought there was no way I’d ever become one of them,” he said. “I thought you had to be a superstar. But I found out all you have to do is work very, very hard.”

Very hard included rising each morning at 5 a.m., running, weightlifting and adjusting his diet. Everything Phillips did.

“I’ve got to admit he was a bit of an idol for me,” Sims said.

Asked about any advice he would give to Sims as a defending state champion, Phillips said: “I’d tell him don’t be complacent. Everyone comes after you, everyone knows you. But he’s a tough kid. He’ll do just fine.”

Twelve Orange County wrestlers medaled--placed in the top six--to set a county record. The previous high had been 10 in 1981 and 1982. Besides Phillips, Capistrano Valley, which placed second in the team competition with 66 points, had heavyweight Rex Vollmer and Mike Maciborski (105) each place third. Also placing third was El Dorado’s Andy Leon at 175 pounds.

Anaheim’s Saul Lopez placed fourth at 191 pounds. Valencia’s Sam Lopez (112), Huntington Beach’s Doobie Escobedo (165) and Canyon’s Brett Schultz (126) all placed fifth.

Mission Viejo’s Sean Westover (145) and Anaheim’s Javier Frausto (126) placed sixth.

The team championship was won by Antioch High, located 40 miles east of Oakland, which scored 89.5.