HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING : Four-Time Champion Clovis Leads Valhalla; Poway Third

The California Interscholastic Federation State wrestling championships figured to be a battle between four-time champion Clovis and top-ranked Poway of San Diego.

In the early-round matches Friday at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center, Clovis lived up to its billing. But Poway slipped and Valhalla fared better than expected.

Clovis, winner of State titles in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1990, led Valhalla, 53 1/2 to 46, with Poway third with 35 points.

For Clovis, Jimmy Aguirre is trying for his third consecutive State title. He won at 105 pounds as a sophomore, 119 pounds last year and is wrestling at 125 pounds this season.

Friday, he overpowered Dennis Cummings of Cabrillo, 7-0, in the quarterfinals. Aguirre figures to meet Detran Gant of Fresno Roosevelt, last year’s 112-pound champion, in today’s final. Gant has beaten Aguirre three times in five meetings this season, including the Central Section final last week.

Two other defending champions, Tony Okada of Anaheim Savanna in the 132-pound division and Josh Gormley of West Torrance in the heavyweight class, also advanced to the semifinals.