WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS : WRESTLING : Canyon’s 4-A Champions Lead Familiar Cast of Teams, Faces Into Another Season

It’s a new season, but little has changed on the wrestling mats across Orange County. Familiar teams and familiar names once again are the class of county wrestling.

Canyon High School, the 2-time Southern Section 4-A champion, once again appears to be unbeatable. The Comanches have won 3 Southern Section championships in the 1980s, are top-ranked in the county this season and are almost a cinch to win their ninth league championship in a row.

But El Dorado, Esperanza, Katella, Laguna Hills and San Clemente are among the teams chasing Canyon. The Empire League, with El Dorado, Esperanza and Katella, shapes up as the toughest in the county this season.

El Dorado figures to have the best shot at defeating Canyon and ending the Comanches’ reign as 4-A champions.

Individually, the county’s top returnee is Heath Sims of Woodbridge, a surprise winner in the state tournament last season. Sims won the 132-pound class last season as a junior after a unheralded sophomore season. Last summer, Sims competed on a U.S. junior team that toured Europe and this season, he remains unbeaten at 15-0.

“His goal this year is to repeat and go undefeated,” Woodbridge Coach Cliff Nelson said flatly.

Sims is one of the county’s leading candidates to win Southern Section or state titles this season, but by no means is he the only one.

Brian Tomazic of El Dorado, Rob Langenwalter of Esperanza, Joe Pastorello of Katella, Dru Anderson of San Clemente and Zach Cooper of Canyon are among the county’s top contenders for individual titles.

Here’s a closer look at the county’s top wrestlers:

Dru Anderson, San Clemente, Sr.--Heads a powerful Triton team that is expected, along with Laguna Hills, to be the best in the south county. His father, Bob, was a Southern Section champion for South Torrance in 1962.

Greg Andres, Sunny Hills, Sr.--He was second in the 2-A championships, won the Freeway title, posted a 45-3 mark and was named to The Times’ all-county team at 101 pounds.

Zach Cooper, Canyon, Jr.--Was a state finalist last season as a sophomore at 178 pounds. He was second to Andy Leon in the 4-A and Masters meets last season. So far this season, he is 10-0.

Sean Gallagher, Capistrano Valley, Sr.--He won a tournament at Cabrillo College in Aptos, Calif., and is one of the top wrestlers in the lower weight classes.

Rob Langenwalter, Esperanza, Jr.--”He’s definitely a contender for (the) state qualifying (meet),” said Dick Werschke, Katella coach. Langenwalter was named to The Times’ second-team all-county last season at 115 pounds.

Matt Luker, Capistrano Valley, Sr.--Luker is the backbone of a good but young Capistrano Valley team. The Cougars’ top three wrestlers--Mike Macibroski, Rex Vollmer and Mike Phillips, who was Times’ wrestler of the year--have graduated.

Chris Mollkoy, Katella, Sr.--He was fourth in the 4-A division last season at 154 pounds. Werschke hopes to qualify for the state meet this season. So far, he’s 10-0.

Tan Nguyen, Esperanza, Sr.--At 101 pounds, he gives the Aztecs great strength in the lower weight divisions. He was second in the 4-A meet last season.

Joe Pastorello, Katella, Sr.--He showed his mettle as an all-county linebacker for the Knights’ football team. “When he’s determined it’s a pretty awesome sight to see,” Werschke said. Pastorello was the 4-A champion at 157 pounds. He is 15-0 this season.

Ravi Ramsamooj, Canyon, Sr.--He was a state finalist last season at 108 pounds. Ramsamooj dislocated his clavicle in an early-season tournament, but once he returns, he’ll be a key to the Comanches’ success.

Heath Sims, Woodbridge, Sr.--”He just went nuts his junior year and won everything,” Nelson said. Sims was the state champion last season and had a 41-2 record. “He’s an unbelievably hard worker,” said Jeff Roberts, Capistrano Valley assistant coach. “He isn’t super strong or quick. He has a lot of desire to succeed.”

Brian Tomazic, El Dorado, Sr.--He’s the best of a very balanced team that could challenge Canyon for the top spot the 4-A division. He was second-team all-county at 194 pounds last season.