Community College State Wrestling Championships : Cypress Comes Up Just Short as Palomar Wins Title

Defending state heavyweight champion Vince Plymire of Moorpark defeated Randy Gonzalez of Cypress, 9-1, in overtime to deprive Cypress of the state community college wrestling title and give it to Palomar Saturday at El Camino College.

Cypress finished third with 85 points behind Palomar (88) and Lassen (87 3/4). An Orange County community college has not won a state championship since Santa Ana (now Rancho Santiago) won back-to-back titles in 1974-75.

Rancho Santiago and Golden West College finished 10th and 15th.

Overtime was forced in Gonzalez’s match after Plymire was given a point when Gonzalez was called for stalling, tying the score at 6-6.

“I thought I got ripped off,” Gonzalez said. “I thought I should have gotten the victory (before the overtime).”

Cypress entered the finals leading the two-day competition on the strength of placing in seven of eight weight classes.

Cypress had a chance to clinch the title at 150 pounds, but returning All-American Ralph Rucker lost, 3-2, to Jeff Buckalew of Diablo Valley in overtime in the final.

A four-point victory by Gonzalez in his match would have given Cypress 89 points and the title. Asked if he felt added pressure, Gonzalez said: “I knew it (the championship) was on the line, but . . . “

Returning All-American Bill Montgomery (126), Art Orozco (158) and Leo Garand (190) each took a third to boost to Cypress’ point total.