Clovis, Poway Favorites in State Wrestling

Clovis, the two-time defending champion, and San Diego Poway, third the last two seasons, will be the favorites at the CIF state wrestling tournament beginning today at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center.

Clovis, the Central Section champion, has qualified wrestlers in 10 of the 13 weight divisions. Poway has 12 qualifiers.

Among Southern Section teams, Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World has been a consistent finisher the last two seasons. Rim of the World placed sixth last year, the highest among Southern Section schools, and was eighth in 1990.

Anaheim Canyon and Placentia Valencia, with five qualifiers each, also are expected to place among the top 10. Canyon won the section’s Division 4-A championship two weeks ago. Valencia was runner-up to Ventura at the 3-A individual tournament.

The first round begins at 9 a.m. today. The second round and quarterfinals also will be contested today. The semifinals are at 10 a.m. Saturday, the finals at 7 p.m.