SOUTHERN SECTION MASTERS WRESTLING : Four From County Win Championships

Last season, Rick Monge walked away from the Southern Section Masters wrestling tournament down and out. After entering with high expectations, the wrestler from Mater Dei High School lost his first two matches and the chance to compete at the state tournament.

He eased that memory on Saturday by defeating Rim of the World’s Jason Roberts, 5-2, to win the 145-pound Masters tournament championship at Fountain Valley High School. Monge advances to the state meet next weekend at the University of the Pacific.

“This year, I just wanted to make sure I got to state,” said Monge. “I was kind of disappointed last year.”

Monge was one of four Orange County wrestlers to win championships Saturday. Canyon’s Zach Cooper, who pinned three opponents, won his 91st consecutive match in the 191-pound final and teammate Jason Mitchell won the 138-pound championship. Savanna’s Tony Okada won the 132-pound division.

Overall, 17 county wrestlers advanced to the state meet by finishing in the top six in their respective weight class. Canyon qualified six wrestlers for the Masters meet at last week’s divisional championships, San Clemente and Edison each qualified two wrestlers.

Monge said he was especially frustrated last year because he had been ill two or three weeks before the Masters and was at less than full strength when he lost a pair of one-point matches. Adding to Monge’s frustration was the fact that he beat the 132-pound state champion, Arroyo’s Elfrin Gonzales, during the regular season.

Thus, an inspired Monge (46-1) met Roberts in the final. Monge, a senior, had beaten Roberts, 2-1, at a tournament three weeks ago.

“I finished a lot stronger on my takedowns this time,” Monge said. “The last time I was kind of sloppy. This time I drove in harder with more intensity.”

Okada, who placed fifth in the state meet last year at 126 pounds, raised his record to 46-0, defeating Coachella Valley’s Albert Morales, 13-2.

“I expected it to be tougher,” Okada said of his victory. “I used my quickness. I beat him on my feet.”

Canyon, which won its third Southern Section 4-A championship in four years last week, was the only county school with two champions. If not for what Coach Gary Bowden called “some bad luck,” Canyon may have qualified more than two wrestlers.

Tom McCullogh (119 pounds) was battling the flu, Bowden said, and lost his first two matches. Matt Padgett (154 pounds) was bothered by a knee injury he sustained in practice Thursday and couldn’t finish his second-round match in the losers’ bracket.

“We expected to get two in,” Bowden said. “We’ve wrestled great all year and haven’t had many problems with injuries or sickness, so maybe it was our turn.”

Jason Booth (112 pounds) and Josh Kitner (98 pounds) qualified for San Clemente. Chad Stansbury (138) and Brian Burgess (132 pounds) advanced for Edison.