SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION I WRESTLING : Runner-Up El Modena Ready for Next Step

Indio took Round 1 over El Modena in decisive fashion at the Southern Section Division I individual championships Saturday at El Monte High.

It was hardly a crushing loss for El Modena, however. Although the Vanguards lost the team title to Indio, 140 1/2 points to 123 1/2, they seemed happy with the school’s highest place in the six seasons Alan Clinton has been coach.

Besides, El Modena will play host to Indio in Round 2--the section dual meet championship--on Thursday.

“I guess there’s no doubt we’re battling back and forth for No. 1,” said Clinton, whose team was fifth at last year’s tournament. “All our kids had great tournaments. It’s nice to see them all coming along.”

Ventura, with 111 points, finished third, Savanna (94 1/2) was fourth and Canyon (89) was fifth.

Saturday turned out to be a big night for Orange County wrestlers, with seven winning championships and two being named most valuable wrestlers.

El Modena’s Juan Alvarez, who overwhelmed Ian John of Palo Verde, 22-8, in the 130-pound championship match, was the MVP at the lower weights. Alvarez, a junior who improved his record to 47-5, recorded three pins in the two-day tournament.

Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz, who defeated Rodrigo Cibrian of Santa Ana Valley, 9-2, at 189 pounds, was the MVP at the higher weights.

The county’s other champions: Teak Sato of Savanna at 125 pounds, Zac Tapia of San Clemente (135), David Wells of El Modena (140), Paul Martinez of Santa Ana Valley (145), Eric Escobedo (160).

In all, 13 county wrestlers advanced to the finals.

The top five finishers advanced to the Masters meet next Saturday at Fountain Valley. The top seven there move on to the CIF State meet March 5-6 at Stockton.

Tapia’s match-up with Dave Gayer of Canyon was perhaps the most eagerly awaited match-up of county wrestlers. Tapia was 47-6 going into the match; Gayer was 27-0. What transpired was a defensive struggle that was settled by Tapia’s two-point takedown with 47 seconds left in the first overtime period.

Each had scored one-point escapes in regulation.

The victories by El Modena’s Alvarez and Wells were among the most impressive recorded Saturday. Alvarez was simply too strong for John, a junior with a 33-9 record going into the final, recording takedowns seemingly at will.

Wells was calm, cool and composed despite falling behind, 2-0, early in the match.

“I tried to be smart and wrestle with technique and not aggressiveness,” Wells said. “Every match can be my last, so I take every opponent very seriously.”