El Camino Real Puts Hold on Title as a Team

Yes, wrestling is a team sport as well as an individual one.

El Camino Real High proved that Saturday night by winning the City Section team championship at Granada Hills High.

The Conquistadores, who notched their first title since 1992 and sixth in the past 10 years, placed five wrestlers in the finals. But only heavyweight Jeff Macrea came away a winner.

Macrea (33-11) pinned Alfonso Romo of San Fernando in 42 seconds to bring to a close a tournament filled with exceptional individual performances.

El Camino Real totaled 157 1/2 points to finish ahead of Canoga Park (148 1/2), Bell (141), San Fernando (101), Granada Hills (88 1/2) and Monroe (70).

Champions of 13 weight divisions advanced to the state finals to be held next weekend in Stockton. Canoga Park and Monroe each had three champions, followed by Granada Hills and Bell, the two-time defending City champion, with two each.

In addition to four second-place finishers, El Camino Real had four wrestlers place third and two place fourth.

“We have 13 good kids,” El Camino Real Coach Terry Fischer said. “The team came through as a team.”

El Camino Real’s Jesus Rivera (105 pounds), Casey Lee (127), Danny Platt (142) and Hugo Jordan (154) all were defeated in the finals.

On an individual level, Canoga Park was more impressive. The Hunters’ Hadi Jubrail (173), Jose Barahona (137) and Adrian Abarca (147) all recorded victories by pins.

Jubrail (40-1), City champion at 160 last season, pinned Jarred Gabin of Granada Hills in 26 seconds with an overwhelming surge at the opening whistle and was selected the tournament’s most valuable wrestler.

“We’re here to do business,” Jubrail said. “My thought was just get in there and go to state. I feel good. I’ve accomplished a lot.”

Barahona (40-1) fell behind early against James Lyles of Granada Hills but piled up a 16-2 advantage before settling matters at 4 minutes 48 seconds.

Abarca, who arrived late for the final round and nearly missed introductions, rallied from a 4-1 deficit with 40 seconds left against Jesus Arana of San Fernando. Abarca (18-8) made the pin at 5:53 to claim his first City title after finishing second at 125 and 145 the past two seasons.

“Persistence,” Abarca said. “I’ve done some hard training.”

Monroe’s Yogi Gonzalez (105) upset El Camino Real’s Rivera with an 8-6 overtime victory.