Romanesque Title for Oxnard

Gabe Roman of Oxnard High captured the 147-pound championship of the Southern Section Division I wrestling finals Saturday night at El Monte High.

In a two-day meet dominated by eventual champion Santa Ana Cavalry Chapel, Roman (37-0) recorded two victories by decision and one by pin before defeating Ponteyo Tabarez of Central, 15-2, for the title.

Roman was among five Channel League champions wrestling Saturday, and the only one of four to win a championship bout. Rio Mesa’s Tom Nelford (154 pounds), Jessie Campos (132) and Jesse Bautista (127) all were outpointed in finals.

Ryan Burdick of Ventura (191) was defeated in a semifinal match.

“Actually, I expected to win,” Roman said. “It’s just my attitude this year. This is something I didn’t want last year. The cutting weight started getting to me toward the end and I wanted my season to end early.

“This year is different.”

Two-time defending state champion Calvary Chapel totaled 264.5 points to claim its fourth consecutive section title. Six of 13 weight championships were won by Calvary Chapel.

Canyon Springs (151 points) finished second and Dos Pueblos (121) was third, with Rio Mesa (92.5) fifth.

Nelford (53-5) was defeated by Josh Holiday of Calvary Chapel, 10-5. Holiday (42-0), a two-time section champion and defending state champion, improved to 93-1 over the past two seasons.

Bautista (38-8) was overwhelmed by Joe Calizitta of Calvary Chapel, 14-4.

Campos (39-5) lost to Alexei Yawauarae (51-2) of Anaheim Canyon, 11-8.