Kingpins Seeking New Crowns

League champions, division champions, Southern Section champions. . . . State champions?

A State title is the only remaining goal for Larry Johnson of Antelope Valley High and Jacob Waasdorp of Quartz Hill, who will lead a contingent of 22 area wrestlers into the State finals today and Saturday at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Johnson (52-1) won a Golden League championship at 160 pounds, then placed first at the Southern Section Division IV finals and Masters Meet last week at Fountain Valley High.

Waasdorp (54-1) likewise won titles at 215 pounds at each milestone.

For Johnson, a senior and three-time league champion with a record of 144-16 in his career, it marks a second consecutive trip to the State meet, which includes the state’s top 32 competitors in each of 14 weight classes. Johnson was 2-2 last season, forfeiting his final bout because of a knee injury.

Johnson is coming off an impressive showing at the Masters Meet, in which he pinned Bill Teed of Corona Centennial in 45 seconds for the championship.

“I’m going to do as well as I can and go as far as my body will take me,” Johnson said.

Waasdorp, a junior with a career record of 116-27, is making his first trip to Stockton.

“I feel pretty confident going in, but it’s going to be tough,” Waasdorp said. “I saw the bracket, and just looking at it you can tell it’s a tough tournament.”

Indeed, the going figures to be arduous for all area entries.

Not since 1992 has an area wrestler reached the final round of the two-day tournament at Pacific’s Spanos Center. That season, John Jimenez (119) and Scott Adams of Ventura (189), and Jack Artman of Thousand Oaks (145)--who entered the tournament 34-0--all reached the finals before losing.

Last season, Gabe Roman of Oxnard placed third at 145, the best finish among area wrestlers.

Only three area representatives have won championships since the State finals began in 1973. Keith Harvey of Newbury Park (119) and Mike Aupiu of Channel Islands (175) placed first in 1985. John Smithson of Buena won at 112 pounds in 1976.

No City Section entry has placed higher than fifth, and no area team has won a title.

The tournament begins today at 8 a.m. The championship round is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m.