Prep Wrestling: Teams to Watch

SOUTHERN SECTION

Channel Islands--The Raiders are ranked sixth in the preseason Southern Section 4-A Division poll, largely on their reputation as a Ventura County power. Channel Islands has won four Marmonte League titles in the past five years, including last season when the team was 23-1 in dual meets.

In addition, the junior varsity has won 10 consecutive league titles and has not lost a league meet since 1983.

Seven wrestlers have graduated, prompting Coach Rob Vieira to label this a rebuilding year. Few may notice the difference. Among the top returners are juniors Ray Estrada (112 pounds) and Chad Lewis (125). Both had more than 30 wins last season.

Returning seniors include Sean Moore (152), Charles Ritter (171)--who finished second in the Marmonte League--and heavyweight Tony Reyes. Eight junior varsity league champions from last year move up to the varsity. Among the most promising are juniors Joe Chavoya (130) and Albert Leano (103).

Senior Jerome Tinoco (189), an all-league defensive lineman, could be a pleasant surprise.

“A lot of people don’t know that I have him, but he’s going to be very strong and very explosive,” Vieira said.

Ventura--The Cougars are ranked second among 3-A schools and should breeze to a third consecutive Channel League title.

Seven wrestlers who advanced to last season’s division finals return. The best is Scott Adams, the defending Southern Section 189-pound champion.

Senior John Jimenez (125) is a two-time defending league champion who finished fourth in the Southern Section last season.

The roster is deep and strong, Coach Paul Clementi said, and many wrestlers are still battling for starting roles.

Senior Daniel Vasquez (112) and junior Robert Wartende (130), both returning lettermen, are stronger and more aggressive.

Seniors Casey Cox (160) and Thomas Lang (171), and junior Jason Carmody (135) advanced past the first round in the division finals.

Oxnard--Five key wrestlers who qualified for last season’s 3-A finals return.

Junior Bobby Roman (119), who finished sixth in the 103-pound class, is much stronger. Senior Irby Chatelain (189), who also finished sixth, will remain at the same weight.

Senior heavyweight Carlos Govea, the defending league champion, returns a little lighter than the 198 pounds he wrestled at last year.

Seniors Carlos Mendez (145), who finished second in league last season among 135-pounders, and Eloy Flores (130), who finished third, are experienced. Junior Eric Bautista (145), who suffered cracked ribs at midseason last year, is healthy.

Rio Mesa--The Spartans finished second last season in the competitive Channel League. And seven returning lettermen should give them the experience to contend this season.

Junior Joe Rodriguez (130), who finished second in league as a sophomore, might emerge as one of the most improved wrestlers in the region, Coach Todd Stoke said.

Seniors Jose Escudero (189), a defensive tackle on the football team, and Cory Bloom (145) each placed third in league last season. Senior Dan Mejia (171) was a junior varsity league champion last season but is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.

Senior and team captain Wade Horton (140) and senior Dan Hales (145) are returning lettermen.

Quartz Hill--Last season’s Golden League champion Rebels are ranked third among 1-A schools after losing only three wrestlers to graduation.

Senior Gilbert Zavala returns as the defending Southern Section champion among 112-pounders and should be among the best in his class in the region.

Senior and team captain Joel Hansen (152) is a returning league champion who finished second in the Southern Section finals. Senior Nick Edwards (103) finished third last season in the Southern Section finals.

Senior Micah Hale (125) is a returning league champion and finished third in the Southern Section in the 119-pound class last season. Senior Jason Hair (171) is another defending league champion.

Senior Steven Redd (145) missed last season with a back injury but has rehabilitated well.

Seniors Matt Ables (heavyweight), Mario Martinez (135) and John Tornbom (140) all finished second in league last season. Junior Josh Sanders (160) finished third.

Harvard-Westlake--The Wolverines, ranked ninth among 1-A schools, have not lost a dual meet in three years and were 18-0 last season.

Five key wrestlers have graduated, but senior Josh Rodine (125), a two-time San Fernando League champion, returns.

Junior Cameron Riley (135), and seniors James Lee (145) and Stan King (119) also are returning league champions.

Junior Greg Brown (171) has finished second in league the past two years.

CITY SECTION

San Fernando--Although six players--including four City champions from last season--have graduated, the Tigers appear powerful and experienced enough to repeat as 4-A champions.

Senior George Hernandez (140), last season’s 135-pound City champion, returns as one of the top wrestlers in the City.

Senior fraternal twins Manuel and Jerry Anaya are an interesting pair. Manuel weighs 125 pounds and Jerry wrestles as a heavyweight. “Manuel is like Danny DeVito and Jerry is the Arnold Schwarzenegger,” Coach Mike Castillo cracked.

Jerry Anaya was the City’s No. 2 heavyweight last season.

Senior Issac Duran, a City runner-up last season, will alternate with Manuel Anaya in the 125-pound class and will serve as team captain.

Junior Ruben Martinez (119) finished second in the City among 103-pounders.

Sophomores Ben Katz (112), Joe Martinez (103) and Jesus Palafox (125) are very good, Castillo said.

El Camino Real--A new era begins under first-year Coach Terry Fischer.

After last season’s runner-up finish in the City 4-A finals, Coach Milt Goffman retired after a 17-year career that established El Camino Real as a wrestling power. Goffman led El Camino Real to four City titles, including three in a row from 1988-90. “It’s a hard act to follow,” said Fischer, who previously coached at North Hollywood and West Torrance.

The roster is filled with freshmen and sophomores. Experience is limited to five returners. Senior Matt Austin (160) enters his fourth varsity season. Senior Matt Tuttle (145) and junior Darren Good (130) also return. Junior David Duran, last year’s City champion in the 103-pound class, moves up to 112 pounds.

Senior heavyweight Jeff Sardell finished second in the City last season.

Canoga Park--The Hunters, who finished fourth in last season’s City finals, will have to overcome a slow start.

Several wrestlers are members of the school’s football team. After a lengthy and hard-hitting season, the last thing some of them feel like doing is being flipped on their backs. “Football really put us behind,” said Coach Rudy Lugo, who also is the school’s football coach. “A lot of the guys are banged up and they’re not ready.”

Keith Jardine returns as the City’s defending heavyweight champion and stands as the wrestler to beat in that class. Rafael Palacios (145) finished second in the City in the 135-pound class last season.

Senior William Fort (135), who placed third in the City last season, returns.

Junior Mario Acosta, the City’s 103-pound champion as a freshman, returns after a year layoff. Junior Derek Odama (135), the brother of 1987 City champion Tak Odama, shows promise, Lugo said.