High School Wrestler Gets Reversal of Fortune : Appeal: Southern Section overturns his suspension for allegedly hitting referee, allowing Burns to compete as a senior at Santa Monica.

Since Chris Burns started wrestling in the seventh grade, he has dreamed about winning a State title.

That dream nearly was taken away in May when the Southern Section Executive Committee suspended him from high school competition for 18 months after he allegedly hit a referee during a State qualifying match in February.

Burns, who will be a senior at Santa Monica High, claimed he never struck referee Les Congelliere after a 10-9 loss to Erik Jacobs of El Modena in the 171-pound weight class. The incident occurred during the Masters meet Feb. 23 at Fountain Valley High.

Congelliere testified that Burns forearmed him twice after the match while he was attempting to have the two wrestlers shake hands. Congelliere’s testimony was supported by assistant referee Ray Wallace, who also worked the match.

In the May hearing, the executive committee suspended Burns.

The punishment was in accordance with the new California Interscholastic Federation rule banning athletes from high school competition for physically assaulting an official.

At an appeals hearing Wednesday morning at the Southern Section office, Congelliere said he does not feel an 18-month suspension was fair.

“I don’t think he meant to hurt me,” Congelliere said, “but I believe he had lost control of his temper. I didn’t take an aggressive posture toward him, so I was surprised when he did toward me. I showed a great amount of restraint, and he didn’t.

“But this young man is a good wrestler, and I hope I have an opportunity to officiate a match of his again someday.”

Shortly after that statement, the five-member executive committee overturned its suspension and reinstated Burns.

“I think if there had been any doubt in our minds that Burns intended to hurt the referee, he would not be wrestling next year,” said Stan Thomas, Southern Section commissioner. “We are leery of such incidents and do not condone such activity. But I felt we made the right decision today. The referee showed a lot of character.”

Burns, 18, won the Southern Section 1-A Division title and qualified for the Masters meet. He won his first match at the Masters, setting up his showdown with Jacobs. The two have attended several wrestling camps together and are friends.