Rio Mesa’s Bautista Has Sights Set on State Championship : Wrestling: Last year’s Channel League champion and runner-up at the Southern Section Division I finals expects more of himself than a return visit to the finals.

Forgive Jesse Bautista of Rio Mesa High for getting carried away at the State wrestling finals last March. It wasn’t his idea.

One of only two area sophomores to advance to the annual State meet at Stockton, Bautista wrestled his way to four victories in five matches. But during a 7-2 decision over Eric Serda of Wasco on the second day of the two-day competition, Bautista suffered a sprained left knee.

Bautista barely had raised his arms in triumph before finding himself in the arms of Coach Todd Stoke, who carried the 5-foot-4 wrestler across the floor of the University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center and into the locker room.

“I said: ‘Coach, what are you doing?’ ” Bautista said. “ ‘I’m not supposed to be carried off in the State meet.’ I was a little embarrassed.”

Understandably so. Among the crowd of about 2,500 were nine members of Bautista’s family. The youngest of 14 children, Bautista, Channel League champion at 125 pounds and runner-up at the Southern Section Division I finals, had progressed further than all but three of 23 area wrestlers in the state competition.

Having lost a match, the best Bautista could hope for was a third-place finish. But after being examined by a doctor and conferring with his coach and members of his family, Bautista reluctantly agreed to withdraw. By defaulting in his final two bouts, he finished sixth.

“It was kind of a committee decision,” Stoke said. “I think if it had been just me and him, it would have been a more-difficult decision. But we thought about his future. If it was his senior year, we probably would have let him wrestle.”

“I wanted to wrestle,” Bautista said. “But they told me it wasn’t worth screwing up my knee. I had my doubts at the time, but I think it was the right decision. Why risk it when the best I can finish is third?”

Bautista has grown to 135 pounds as he begins his junior year a bit wiser as well as stronger. Having placed third in the league as a freshman and compiling 49-14 record last season, Bautista ranks among the Southern Section’s best wrestlers.

His goal is to walk off the mat at Stockton next spring with a state title.

“I have my mind not on the league finals, but the State finals,” Bautista said. “I’m not saying I’m going to win it, but I’m saying that I’m not some guy you’re going to walk past. I’m going to be right there with you every step. And if you want to win it, you’re going to have to work harder than me.”

Confidence, Stoke said, might be Bautista’s best attribute. Bautista’s attitude was pivotal in his earning a berth in the Southern Section finals as a freshman.

“He’s the first freshman from this county that I can remember wrestling in the Division I finals,” Stoke said. “And I’ve been in this county 17 years.

“One thing he is, is confident. And he has matured a lot.”

Even as Bautista watched the conclusion of last season’s State meet he was focused on the future.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “Next year, you’ll see me in the finals.”

Around the Leagues

SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION I

RIO MESA

Rio Mesa shared the Channel League title with Dos Pueblos last season and both are expected to contend for supremacy this season. The Spartans, ranked ninth in the division’s preseason poll, have eight returning lettermen, five of whom made a strong showing in last season’s league finals. Junior Jesse Bautista (135) was league champion at 125, placed second in the section finals, second at Masters and sixth in the state. Seniors Danny Morales (119) and Ralph Cortez (189) placed third in the league, as did sophomore Spikie Gonzalez (112). Senior Tino Delgado (215) placed fourth. Senior Albert Ambriz (160) enters his third varsity season. Juniors Jeff Edwards (145) and Joey Tejada (heavyweight) enter their second varsity season.

VENTURA

The Cougars, a perennial power and section dual-meet champion in 1992, failed last season in their bid for a sixth consecutive Channel League title. But they remain strong, especially in the middle weights. Senior Bryan Doss (152), 25-9 last season, was league champion at 140 and sixth in the section finals. David Johnson (135), ineligible last season after placing second in the league as a sophomore, should challenge Bautista of Rio Mesa for the league title. Senior Nghiep Dang (145) placed second in the league at 135. Junior Cody Naumec (112) placed fourth at 112. Talented newcomers abound, including junior Bernie Gonzalez (140) and sophomore Cristobal Gonzalez (171).

DIVISION II

CAMARILLO

The Scorpions, defending Marmonte League co-champions, are ranked eighth in the preseason poll. Senior twins Rick and Ron Peterson return after falling short of expectations. Rick (130) placed fourth in the section finals at 125 and Ron placed fifth at 119, but both were eliminated from state competition at the Masters Meet. Senior Wayne Hatch (140) was second in the league at 135. Senior Tim Bradley returns at heavyweight, where he placed fourth in the league last season. Junior Ted Weisse (112) was junior varsity league champion at 103.

THOUSAND OAKS

The Lancers, who shared the league title with Camarillo last season, have eight returning starters, most of whom challenged for league supremacy last season. Senior Mike Bonebright (152) placed third in the league at 145. Senior Brad Crider (140) placed second at 130 and senior Alex Pappas (215) placed third as a heavyweight. Junior Thanh Tran (119) placed third at 112. Junior Matt Greding (112) placed fourth at 103.

DIVISION IV

HIGHLAND

The Bulldogs, 36-1 and Golden League champions last season, are ranked second in the division and might be the region’s most-balanced team. Five starters return, including senior Jason Reynolds (152) and junior Roland Aldabert (119), both defending league champions. Reynolds was 42-12; Aldabert was 50-10. Sophomore Stuart Young (130) was second in the league at 119. Senior Keith Mac (125) was third at 119. Four junior varsity league champions move up and more than 50 wrestlers are competing for the top 14 spots.

HARVARD-WESTLAKE

The Wolverines, Mission League champions and third in the section finals last season, are ranked fourth in the preseason poll. Senior Josh Eisenberg (171), a two-time league champion, placed fourth in the section finals last season and fifth as a sophomore. Senior James Michino (140) also is a two-time league champion. Seniors Ron Linares (152) and Paul Michels (130) are defending league champions who placed seventh in the section finals. Senior Matt Howard (171) and junior Pat Anderson (135) are defending league champions. Senior Brian Choi 189) placed second in the league and senior Charles Hsieh (130) was a junior varsity league champion.

CITY SECTION

EL CAMINO REAL

The Conquistadores, with several wresters returning at the same weights as last year, remain the class of the City after posting their sixth City championship in the past 10 years. Senior heavyweight Jeff Macrea was 34-13 and heavyweight champion. Senior Jesus Rivera (112) was 30-6 and second in the City at 103. Senior Adam Bernard enters his third varsity season at 130 after placing third in the City last season and fifth as a sophomore. Sophomore Francisco Jordan (145) was fourth in the City. Junior Erick Cornejo (16) placed third and senior Felipe Reyes (189) placed fourth. Nine junior varsity champions are competing for starting positions.

MONROE

The Vikings, fifth in the City last season, have five returning lettermen, two of whom are among the area’s most talented wrestlers. Senior William Jackson (171), a three-year varsity member, was 35-5 and City champion at 160. Senior Alfonso Brizuela (135) was 36-3 and City champion at 130. Both were 0-2 at the State meet. Junior Milton Herrera returns at 125, where he placed second in the Valley League. Sophomore John Friginal (119-125) might have made an impact if he had not suffered a broken ankle early in the season. Senior Araceli Carmona (103) is the best of last season’s junior varsity.