Ventura Is Soft Around Its Middle : Wrestling: Cougars’ weakness is the strength of El Modena, which boasts section champions at 130 and 135 pounds.

The most successful wrestlers on the Ventura High team are in the lowest and the highest weights, but for the Cougars to have a chance in tonight’s Southern Section Division I team championship match, the Cougars must depend on the middle.

El Modena, Ventura’s opponent at 7:30 p.m., is strongest in the middle weights. Teak Sato (130 pounds) and Juan Alvarez (135) won Southern Section titles last weekend. David Wells, who lost in the 140 final, was section champion in 1993.

Ventura got a good look last weekend at the strength of the top-ranked Vanguards.

El Modena (24-1 in dual meets) dominated the Division I individual championships at El Monte, winning with a meet-record 153 points. Ventura finished a distant second with 92 points.

Ventura (18-1) does possess a top wrestler in the middle weights. Chris Karlowsky (140 pounds) advanced from the individual championships to this weekend’s Master’s meet but will likely be matched against Wells.

Ventura Coach Paul Clementi hopes to get a lead early, hold on in the middle weights, and take his chances with the heavier weights.

“If they’re still alive by 189 (pounds), then we’re dead,” El Modena Coach Alan Clinton said.

Heavyweight Sean Burdick is Ventura’s only individual champion. Last week, Burdick clinched the Cougars’ semifinal victory when he pinned Santa Ana’s Frank Picos with one second left in the first period. Ventura was trailing, 25-24, at the time.

Burdick’s younger brother, Ryan (189 pounds), adds to Ventura’s strength in the upper weights. Ryan advanced to the quarterfinals in the individual championships.

At 103 pounds, Ryan Atherton (35-9) has provided Ventura with a quick start to most meets. He finished second in the individual championships for the second consecutive year.

“I think our best will win and their best will win,” Clementi said. “It’s what’s in the gray area that will decide the champion.”

The teams met in the semifinals last season, with El Modena winning, 39-18.