STATE WRESTLING : Clovis Tops Poway for Third Title in a Row

Clovis High won its third consecutive CIF State wrestling championship, but Donnie Keller once again captured the hearts of a sellout crowd Saturday at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center.

Keller, a senior from Live Oak High in Morgan Hill who lost his right leg to bone cancer three years ago, finished eighth at 145 pounds and earned a standing ovation from the crowd of 6,000 after his final match.

Keller, who was wrestling in his first State meet and had advanced to the quarterfinals before losing on Friday, was defeated, 8-4, by P.J. Kapple of Vacaville in the seventh-place match.

When Keller returned to accept his medal later in the evening, he was greeted by a long ovation.

Clovis, ranked No. 11 nationally by USA Today, outscored Poway, ranked No. 3, 95-88, even though it did not have a wrestler in the championship round.

Clovis trailed, 67-61, after the first day of the two-day meet, but had four advance to the semifinals. All four lost, however. Poway had three reach the finals, including John Haas, who finished second at 171 pounds.

Kyle Porter (67-0) of Hughson won his second consecutive 145-pound title.