Three Rio Mesa Wrestlers Advance

Rio Mesa High qualified three wrestlers Saturday for the state finals, to be held at the University of Pacific in Stockton next weekend.

Altogether, 11 local wrestlers advanced from the Southern Section Masters Meet at Fountain Valley High.

Among those advancing are Rio Mesa’s Tom Nelford at 152 pounds, and Jesse Bautista at 125 pounds.

Nelford, who finished third in the state meet last year, lost to Josh Holiday of Calvary Chapel, 9-5, in the final.

In a battle of sophomores, Calvary Chapel’s Joe Calavitta defeated Bautista, 8-2, in their final.

Calavitta has defeated Bautista three times this season.

Randy Legaspi became the third Rio Mesa wrestler to qualify when he defeated MiraCosta’s John Miller to finish seventh in the 135-pound division.

Alemany’s James Castaneda, who entered the meet with a 51-0 record, finished fourth in the 119-pound class. During Castaneda’s bout for third place against Canyon Springs’ Luis Blanco, the opposing coaches angrily exchanged words.

Dennis Anderson, the coach for Alemany, questioned the tactics of Blanco when he appeared to place a headlock on Castaneda after the first period had ended. After the verbal volley between coaches, Canyon Springs fans heckled Anderson, and he responded with an obscene gesture.

Castaneda (54-2) lost the match, 1-0, but Anderson said he plans to file a protest.

“I’ve got the match on videotape. James stood up eight times, and the official refused to call Blanco for a delay,” Anderson said. “That wasn’t wrestling out there. Earlier in the day when they met, James won, 8-5, because they had to wrestle.”

Another wrestler to see a lengthy winning streak snapped was Antelope Valley’s Larry Johnson. Johnson was 52-0 before losing to Rowland’s Dwayne Gabourel, 13-11, in overtime.

Johnson finished sixth in the 160-pound division and qualified for the state finals.

Westlake had two wrestlers advance. Bob Adair will compete at 140 pounds after placing fourth, and Josh Legere will compete in at 170 pounds after placing third.