PREP WRESTLING VALLEY LEAGUE FINALS : Canoga Park Finally Turns Tables Against El Camino Real

The Canoga Park High wrestling team scored a reversal Saturday--a reversal of its past fortunes.

The Hunters outpointed El Camino Real, 167-152, to end a string of setbacks against the Conquistadores and finish first in the Valley League individual finals at Canoga Park.

Canoga Park previously had placed second to El Camino Real in last season’s Valley League championship, finished one point behind the Conquistadores in the Chaminade tournament in December and lost to them in a dual meet Feb. 9.

“I’m very pleased for (the team), but we still have work to do,” Hunter Coach Rudy Lugo said.

San Fernando took third, Chatsworth fourth and Birmingham fifth.

The City Section championships will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at El Camino Real.

Canoga Park wrestlers won the title in the three heaviest weight classes, all in pins.

Heavyweight Keith Jardine pinned El Camino Real’s Steve Serrano in 2 minutes 54 seconds to improve to 25-0, defending City champion Phil Duffield (189 pounds) pinned El Camino Real’s Efrain Perez in 5:40 and Anthony Pavlowski (171 pounds) pinned Chatsworth’s Richard Teer in 1:45.

“I picked them to win at the beginning of the season,” El Camino Real Coach Terry Fischer said about Canoga Park. “It’s the best team they’ve had in years.”

Three other Hunters won their weight class.

Rafael Palacios improved to 25-1 with a victory at 145 pounds, Terry Harsha pinned El Camino Real’s Darren Good in 1:47 at 130 pounds, and Jose Barahona beat Steve McCready of El Camino Real, 11-2, at 119 pounds.