Pratt, Hoult Go for Titles as Moorpark Hits Stop Sign

Jason Pratt and Todd Hoult of Moorpark College remain in contention for individual titles today when the California Community College state wrestling championships are decided at Santa Rosa College.

Five of nine Moorpark wrestlers advanced to today’s final sessions, but only Pratt, at 158 pounds, and Hoult, at 190, remain alive in the championship bracket.

Jorge Ruiz, seeded No. 4 at 142 pounds, lost a 7-4 decision to No. 5 Pete Hendrick of West Valley in the second round, but remains alive in the battle for third place.

Mario Varela (167), who lost to No. 1 Trent Williams of Cuesta in the second round, and Dan Burdis (177) also remain alive in the consolation bracket.

“Pratt and Hoult were outstanding, but overall we’re discouraged,” said Moorpark Coach John Keever, whose teams won the state team championship in 1990 and 1991.

Keever came to the meet hoping for at least a third-place finish but said the top five might be out of the question after early eliminations of 118-pounder Gil Zavala, 134-pounder Ryan Kern, 150-pounder Kyle Plummer, seeded fifth, and heavyweight Gabe Godinez.

In the only upset of the first round, unseeded Reza Khayat of Cypress defeated No. 1 Dan Santana of Cerritos, 18-6.