280 Compete for Spots at State Finals

Southern Section wrestlers will compete today in the Masters Tournament at Fountain Valley High, with the top eight finishers in each weight qualifying for the state finals, March 1-2 at the University of the Pacific.

Competition begins at 9 a.m. today for 280 wrestlers, 85 of whom are from county schools. Finals will begin at about 6 p.m.

Calvary Chapel, runner-up at last year’s state finals and section Division I champions this season, qualified 11 wrestlers--most in the section--for the Masters. Matt Azevedo (119 pounds), Louie Hernandez (140) and Ty Wilcox (152) are top-seeded in their weight classes. Other Eagles qualifying are Burt Pierson (125), Joe Calavitta (135), Josh Saul (189), Arsen Alecksanyan (160), Chris Meineke (171), Kris Comacho (130), Mike Pawasarat (215) and Josh Schultz (275).

Santa Ana, section Division III champion, qualified six wrestlers: Ignacio Bahena (112), Fernando Serratos (119), seeded second, Sadie Morales (125), Jose Morales (130), Jose Sagrero (152) and Jacob La Roche (160).

El Modena’s Aaron Santana, Division I individual champion this season, is top-seeded at 171 pounds. Other Vanguards competing are Nick Long (160), Dan Kingman (189), Nathan Stauber (152) and Chad Adams (215).

Irvine, Division II runner-up this year, also qualified five wrestlers: Peter Hamilton (119), Andrew Pena (125), Alan Rush (140), Zach Stevens (145) and Tim Testerman (152).

Other top participants from the county include: Anaheim’s Reuben Droughns, the top-seeded wrestler at 189 pounds and a Division I champion this season; Division I champion Andrew Murphy (215) of Brea Olinda; Division III champion Joe Reilly (135) of Buena Park; Division II champion David Hanaumi (135) of El Dorado; Division II champion and top-seeded Damian deBeaubien (215) of El Toro; Division II champion Matthew Denne (103) of Marina, and Division IV champion Carlos Garcia (145) of Santiago.