Rio Mesa’s Cook Wins Masters Title in 132-Pound Class

Robby Cook of Rio Mesa High defeated Mike Verbeck of Savanna, 5-3, to win the 132-pound weight class at the Southern Section Masters wrestling tournament Saturday at Fountain Valley High.

Cook, the lone winner from the Valley area, qualified for the state championships March 3-4 at University of the Pacific in Stockton. The top six finishers in each weight class qualified for the state finals.

Other top finishers among Valley-area wrestlers included Chris Kilbane of Newbury Park, who placed second in the 154-pound class after losing in the final to Chris Mollkoy of Katella, 7-4. Billy Hunter of Westlake finished second at 175 pounds after losing in the final, 5-2, to Joe Pastorella of Katella.

T. R. Merickel of Channel Islands placed third at 126 pounds with a 5-3 decision over Pat Kinney of El Dorado. Tony Flores of Rio Mesa finished third at 191 pounds with a 9-5 victory over Justin Davis of Paso Robles.