HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING / TEAMS TO WATCH : Traditional Powers Tighten Their Grips

Perennial powers El Camino Real, Canoga Park and San Fernando will attempt to break Bell’s two-year hold on the City Section wrestling title.

Among Southern Section teams, Ventura, seven-time defending Channel League champion, again figures to be a Ventura County power.

Here is a rundown of some of the top area teams to watch:

CANOGA PARK

COACH: Rudy Lugo

SYNOPSIS: The Hunters, third in the City Section last season, have two returning City champions. Senior Jose Barahona (140), who has won titles at 119 and 130, is among the area’s best wrestlers. Senior Hadi Jubrail (171) was champion at 160. Senior Adrian Abarca (145) and sophomore George Shabazz (112) both placed second in the City and return at the same weights. Senior Gerry Becerra (145) placed third at 145.

EL CAMINO REAL

COACH: Terry Fischer

SYNOPSIS: The Conquistadores have won five City championships in the past nine years and have finished runner-up to Bell each of the past two seasons. Two City champions return. Senior Andy Becker (112), 103-pound champion, was 30-5. Senior Casey Lee (130), champion at 119, was 30-6. Senior Hugo Jordan moves down to 152 after finishing second at 160. Junior Jon Lueck (140) placed third at 140. Senior Danny Platt (135) was junior varsity league champion at 130.

SAN FERNANDO

COACH: Mike Castillo

SYNOPSIS: The Tigers, who last won a City title in 1991, have finished fourth in the City the past three years. Senior Alfonso Romo (heavyweight) and senior Jesse Arana (145) placed third in the City. Senior Carlos Calderon (152) placed third in the Valley League and senior Marvin Cigarroa (119) was fourth. San Fernando will host the first City dual meet championships Feb. 9.

RIO MESA

COACH: Todd Stoke

SYNOPSIS: The Spartans, who tied for second last season in the competitive Channel League, might emerge as the team to beat. Senior Tom Nelford (152), a two-time league champion, finished fifth in the Southern Section last season and advanced to the third round of the state tournament. Jesse Bautista (125) was section runner-up as a freshman. Seniors Jessie Campos (135) and Randy Legaspi (140), and junior Rafael Cortez (171) all placed second in league.

VENTURA

COACH: Paul Clementi

SYNOPSIS: The Cougars, winners of 30 consecutive Channel League matches, have won five consecutive league titles, as well as Southern Section individual and dual-meet titles in 1992. Last season, Ventura finished runner-up to El Modena in both events. Senior Ryan Burdick, defending league champion at 189, is among the county’s best. Junior David Johnson (119) placed second in league at 112. Senior Gilbert Pusen (152) and junior Brian Doss (145) were junior varsity league champions. Senior Cody Green (171) placed third in league.

THOUSAND OAKS

COACH: Larry Mortensen

SYNOPSIS: The Lancers, third in the Marmonte League last season, have no returning league champions. But several wrestlers return and last season’s junior varsity was league champion. Senior Kirk Olivias (135) placed second in league at 130. Junior Thanh Tran (112) was third at 103 and senior Reza Ermani (119) was fourth at 112. Senior Jeff Magruder (152) was 5-1 last season before a shoulder injury ended his season.

ALEMANY

COACH: Dennis Henderson

SYNOPSIS: Senior James Castaneda (119) is one of the best wrestlers in the state. A three-time Mission League champion (103; 112 twice) and two-time defending Southern Section champion at 112, Castaneda has his sights set on a state title. Castaneda, 102-13 in his career, finished fifth at the State meet as a sophomore and fourth last season. Juniors Anthony Vitale (HW) and Nick De Pasquele (171) both placed third in league last season. Alemany finished second to St. John Bosco last season and 10th in the section finals.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE

COACH: Lew Roberts

SYNOPSIS: The Wolverines, third in the Mission League the past two seasons, have four returning league champions. Junior Josh Eisenberg (189), who recorded 69 takedowns last season, finished sixth in the Southern Section. Senior Jon Sakoda (171) was league champion at 152, and junior James Michino (140) was champion at 135. Senior Hersh Davis-Nitzberg is defending heavyweight champion. Senior Brandon Roth (119) was a league champion as a freshman but has finished second to Alemany’s Castaneda the past two years. Junior Matt Howard (152) placed second at 140, and senior John Kang (140) third at 125.

HIGHLAND

COACH: Mike Young

SYNOPSIS: With six returning league champions, the Bulldogs are favored to win a third consecutive Golden League title. Senior heavyweight Rusty Glancy placed fifth in the Southern Section finals, and senior Kevin Wright (171) placed fourth. Seniors Kevin Bice (160), Jorge Portillo (152), Roger Izzo (145) and Brian Enriquez (130) all move up in weight after winning league titles.

SANTA PAULA

COACH: Bob Mumford

SYNOPSIS: The Cardinals are defending Frontier League champions. Seniors Adam Pettit (189) and Peter Christensen (171) return in weight classes in which they were league champions. Junior Ray Griffin (145) and sophomore Adolpho Arenas (103) are returning lettermen.