SOUTHERN SECTION WRESTLING / MASTERS MEET : Castaneda (34-0) Area Headliner

James Castaneda’s season almost ended two weeks ahead of schedule.

Castaneda, from Alemany High and the only area wrestler still undefeated, needed overtime to win his semifinal 112-pound match in the Southern Section Division IV tournament last weekend.

But with the win, Castaneda (34-0) clinched a berth in the Masters meet today at Fountain Valley High. Preliminary bouts will start at 9:30 a.m., finals at 4 p.m.

The meet combines wrestlers from all four divisions of the Southern Section. The top eight finishers qualify for the state tournament next weekend in Stockton. Castaneda is one of 17 area wrestlers in the Masters meet.

Channel League champion Ventura is one of two area schools with three qualifiers. However, Ryan Atherton, a Division I finalist at 103 pounds last week, is questionable because of an upper-body injury suffered in the title match.

Ventura heavyweight Sean Burdick won the Division I championship and Chris Karlowsky qualified at 145 pounds.

Hueneme also had three qualifiers: Jaime Arroyo (103), Ernie Nunez (112) and Kevin Young (145).

Division I champion Tim Bonebright (145) of Thousand Oaks is joined by teammate Parry Wu (135 pounds). Rio Mesa also had two qualifiers: freshman Jesse Bautista (119) and Tom Nelford (152).