STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS : Opponents Not Taking It Easy on Defending Champion Eagles

If defending state champion Calvary Chapel was expecting a little respect at the state wrestling championships, then the Church Boyz were in for a rude awakening.

It was apparent from the outset in the first day of competition at the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center that the Eagles would be in for two long days of wrestling.

The Eagles are seeking their third consecutive title. But unlike last year, when they set a record for team points with 120.5, it’s obvious this weekend won’t be a stroll down memory lane.

Some of Friday’s point leaders--San Jose Independence (53 points), Union City James Logan (43) and Poway (39.5)--one of would love nothing better than to shoot down the Eagles. And after a day of wrestling, these teams are definitely in the face of the defending champions.

At the end of the quarterfinal round and the second round of consolations, Calvary Chapel has a slim 5 1/2-point lead over Independence.

If there was a match that illustrates Calvary Chapel’s uphill fight, it would be the 171-pound match between Mike Aguirre and Zdravko Divjak of Poway. Calvary Chapel’s Aguirre was ranked first in Orange County and fourth in the state and took seventh last year in state. But Divjak, who was unranked, put it to Aguirre in the opening minute of third-round match to take the lead.

As Divjak’s lead mounted, the junior was able to fend off all of Aguirre’s shots. As the clock ticked away, Aguirre, and Calvary Chapel Coach John Azevedo, grew more frustrated. In the end, Divjak advanced to the third quarterfinal round, beating Aguirre 6-2.

The loss was big for Calvary Chapel, which was counting on Aguirre to advance to the finals. In addition to Aguirre, 189-pounder Matt Van Hook lost to Hemet’s Barney Padgett in the quarterfinal round.

But don’t count out the Eagles yet. They still have three wrestlers in today’s semifinals: Joe Calavitta at 125 pounds, Josh Holiday, at 152 pounds and Ed Mosley at 160. Defending state champion Holiday is expected to win, but Mosley and Calavitta will face tough competition in the semifinals. As it stands now, the state title might come down to the final matches in the championship round.

Loara’s Richard Meza (145) was the only non-Calvary Chapel wrestler to advance to the semifinal rounds.

But they are still alive and kicking, and trying to place in this tough meet. They include: Justin Meier (125) of Irvine, Sadie Morales (119) of Santa Ana, Jeff Greco (140), Casey Elliott (152) and heavyweight Mark Zolikoff of of Laguna Hills, heavyweight Jim Ambriz of Saddleback and John Pelzer (189) of Troy.

Tino Archuleta, Van Hook and Aguirre of Calvary Chapel also are still in it.