Castaneda (41-0) Wins, States Case

James Castaneda of Alemany High was one of four area wrestlers to capture wrestling championships in the Southern Section Division IV wrestling finals at Santiago High Saturday night.

Castaneda (41-0) took the 119-pound division with a 13-4 decision over Ricardo Zambrana of El Segundo.

“The formalities are now over,” Castaneda said. “I’m looking forward to going on and winning state.”

Castaneda, whose overall record is 155-11, has dedicated his season to Chachi Solorzano, a friend who died of cancer on Feb. 9.

Castaneda, who finished fifth in the state last year, pinned four of five opponents. He was named the most valuable wrestler in the lower weight division.

Highland, which finished second in the team standings with 143 points, had two wrestlers claim championships.

Brian Enriquez defeated Wilson’s Brian Martinez, 5-3, in the 125-pound final.

Enriquez (46-8) said: “Finally, I get to go on to state. It’s a rush like nothing else I’ve experienced.”

Kevin Wright won the 170-pound title by beating Jered Westburgh of Antelope Valley, 2-0.

At 160 pounds, Larry Johnson (50-0) of Antelope Valley dominated Mira Costa’s Albion Yi, 15-5.

Monico Enriquez of team champion John Glenn High scored two points with three seconds left in the 145-pound final to beat Devin Benjamin of Littlerock, 6-4.