STATE WRESTLING : Tran, Aguirre, Cooper Win Repeat Titles

Three high school wrestlers successfully defended championships at the State meet Saturday at the University of Pacific.

Can Tran (98 pounds) of El Monte Arroyo, Jim Aguirre (119 pounds) of Clovis and Zach Cooper (191 pounds) of Anaheim Canyon won championships before about 5,700 at the Spanos Center.

Tran, who won the 98-pound title last season as a junior, beat Fresno Washington’s Andy Munoz, 9-1.

“Coming here, I thought I had a real good chance,” said Tran, who finished the season 46-0. “But I was kind of surprised how I dominated the first four matches.

“The finals was my toughest match of the season,” added Tran, who waved two fingers in the air after winning to represent his two titles. “Facing a returning state champion, I think he was kind of nervous. He was kind of wrestling back on his heels.”

Tran defeated Poway’s Mike Matteucci, 12-0, in the semifinals.

Aguirre, who won his title at 105 pounds last year, beat Oak Grove’s Matthew Tyrrell, 6-2. Aguirre edged Frances Aquino of Napa Vintage, 6-5, in the semifinals. Aguirre’s teammate, Ralph Olivas (138 pounds), also won a championship to help Clovis to the team title.

Clovis, the only school to produce two champions, also won three consecutive team championships, beginning in 1974.

Clovis finished with 78.5 points. Ukiah was second with 73 points, followed by Poway with 66.5

Cooper, who repeated as champion at 191, defeated Clovis West’s Brad Bell, 11-4. Cooper, a senior, beat Burroughs’ Ivy Calvin, 8-3, in the semifinals.