PREP WRESTLING SOUTHERN SECTION INDIVIDUAL FINALS : Agoura’s Burns Escapes With Overtime Victory

Agoura High’s Sean Burns, who has made short work of most foes, struggled in his toughest--and most important--match of the season Saturday before recording a 5-3 overtime victory over Alonzo Ruiz of Savanna to win the 171-pound championship in the Southern Section Division I wrestling finals at El Monte High.

Burns, a three-time Marmonte League champion, improved to 41-0 by going 5-0 in the two-day tournament. Of five area wrestlers to reach the final round, Burns was the only winner.

Ventura’s Justin Jackson (145 pounds) and Ryan Atherton (103) and Oxnard’s Mario Corona (160) and Bobby Roman (125) were defeated in championship bouts.

Burns opened a 3-0 lead, which he maintained through two periods. He seemed bewildered, however, when Ruiz (38-3) pulled even in the third period to force overtime.

Ruiz earned his first point when Burns was penalized for stalling, then shocked Burns with a takedown. Of 41 opponents, Burns has held 33 scoreless and has been forced into overtime only twice.

But Burns decided the match with a whirlwind takedown 33 seconds into overtime.

“I’d rather win one like that than one where I’m dominating the guy on points,” Burns said. “He’s the best guy I’ve faced, as far as countering what I try to do. I try to go out and score a lot of points.”

Jackson’s bout with Paul Martinez of Savanna rivaled Burns’ match for intensity. After two scoreless periods, each scored a point, and the score remained tied as the final seconds ticked away. With seven seconds left, Martinez maneuvered for a two-point score to win, 3-1. Jackson (38-3) was seeded first in the tournament, Martinez second.

Corona and Roman encountered tough customers. Eric Escobedo of Huntington Beach, last season’s Southern Section champion at 171 pounds, dominated Corona (44-6) for three periods en route to a 5-0 win. Roman, seeded third, entered the final 40-1, but he had his hands full against top-ranked Teak Sato (41-2) of Savanna, losing 8-2.

Atherton (34-12) lasted only 32 seconds against Oscar Gomez of Arroyo. Gomez (40-8) rolled Atherton on his back and recorded a pin before many observers realized what happened.