Torres Intends to Win Close Ones This Season

Royal High wrestler Ray Torres probably will place first in the Marmonte League this season, win a Southern Section Division II championship and advance to the state finals in March in Stockton.

After all, Torres (160 pounds) accomplished each feat as a junior while compiling a 50-7 record in his first full season of varsity competition. This season, Torres’ technique is much improved and his focus fine-tuned.

Two heartbreaking losses at the state finals in a packed Spanos Center at University of the Pacific had something to do with that.

Torres, who was 17-4 as a sophomore before blossoming into one of Ventura County’s most dominant wrestlers, suffered two one-point losses at Stockton to prevent him from earning a medal.

Torres, who had 14 pins and 16 technical falls last season, began the tournament with a second-period pin against Billy Joe Wynn of Oakland Fremont before dropping into the consolation bracket with an 8-7 loss to Dion Garza of Independence.

From there, Torres went 1-1 in the consolation bracket, losing his final match by one point.

“I felt really proud of myself because I didn’t think I would ever get that far,” Torres said. “But this year will be different. This year, I’m more prepared, mentally and technically.”

Torres spent two weeks in August refining his skills at a wrestling camp at the University of Minnesota. Torres qualified for the camp by placing first among 32 wrestlers at a freestyle tournament at Washington State in April.

“I learned to concentrate on the mat and how to have more confidence in myself,” Torres said. “I’m working now, practicing three hours a day.”

College wrestling scholarships are few and far between. But Torres, who maintains a 4.0 grade-point average, has committed himself to landing one. Torres aspires to be a teacher and wrestling coach.

His improvement has not gone unnoticed among Ventura County coaches, who expect Torres to dominate the 160-pound class.

“I don’t see him having any problem in the league,” Royal Coach Pat Dobbs said. “I don’t see any major problems until we get to the end of the season and the major competition.”

AROUND THE LEAGUES

Southern Section Division I

Ventura: A perennial power and section dual meet champion in 1992, the Cougars should win a seventh Channel League championship in nine years. Ventura placed seventh at the section finals last season. Junior Cristobal Gonzalez (189), 35-8 last season, placed second in Division I, seventh at the Masters Meet and was the first sophomore in school history to advance to the state finals. Junior Dustin Clocherty (125) is a defending league champion who placed fourth in the section finals. Juniors Cody Naumec (112) and Joe Martinez (215) move up in weight.

Rio Mesa: Senior Jesse Bautista (135), sixth in the state as a sophomore, was 34-3 last season and probably would have advanced to the state meet if not for a string of injuries. Bautista, a two-time Channel League champion, forfeited in the section final because of bruised ribs. Other returning lettermen include senior Ish Flores (171) and juniors Spikie Gonzalez (112) and Ramon Rodriguez (152).

Hueneme: Senior Ricky Mendez is defending Channel League heavyweight champion. Senior Saipale Fesagaiga (189) placed second in league. Seniors Anthony Ocampo (112) and Jose Apodoca (171) both placed third in league. League coaches consider Hueneme, under first-year Coach Andy Gibson, to be among the region’s most improved teams.

Southern Section Division II

Newbury Park: The Panthers, Marmonte League champions last season, should be in the thick of a close league race. Sophomore Michael Brems (112) placed second in league and seventh in the section finals. Senior Chris Crites (135) placed third after winning a league title as a sophomore. Senior Armando Torrez (140) placed third and seventh in the section finals. Junior Vinnie Quiroz (145) placed second in league. Senior Noah Russell (215) placed third.

Royal: Senior Ray Torres is among six returning area wrestlers who advanced to the state finals last season. Torres (160), 50-7 last season, was Marmonte League champion, section champion and placed third at Masters. Senior David Zeman (119) was 22-7 before being sidelined because of pneumonia. Junior heavyweight Jesse Aguilar moves up from the junior varsity. Sophomore Jeremy Dion (215) was 18-0 in part-time varsity action.

Westlake: Senior Beau Taylor (135) was 35-8 last season and placed fourth at Masters. Taylor was eliminated in the opening round of the state finals.

Southern Section Division IV

Highland: The Bulldogs, 33-1 last season while winning a fourth consecutive Golden League title, have lost only one dual meet in each of the past three seasons--all to Glenn. They return four wrestlers who finished no worse than fourth in the section finals. Senior Joe Younan (215-heavyweight) had 56 victories, won a league title and placed fourth in the section finals. Junior Stuart Young (145) won 55 matches, was league champion and placed third in the section finals. Senior Corey King (189), who placed second in league, and senior Roland Aldabert (125) each placed sixth in the section finals. Sophomore John Garfinkel (119) won 59 matches and a league title as a freshman.

Quartz Hill: Senior Jacob Waasdorp (215), 56-3 and Southern Section champion, is arguably the best of six returning area wrestlers who competed in the 1996 state finals. Senior Weslee Mattison (140) placed second in the section finals.

Palmdale: Several returnees make the Falcons a contender. The team’s best wrestler is senior James Miller (130), a four-year varsity starter who placed second in the Golden League. Junior Jacob Rice (145) placed second in league. Sophomore Devon Zemp (119) was 44-11 and placed second in league at 103. Senior Tyson Chiaro (152) enters his third varsity season after placing second in league. Junior Ricky Ford (160) was 44-8 and placed second in league. Senior heavyweight Scott Cundiff was 22-3.

Harvard-Westlake: The Wolverines were runners-up to Bishop Amat in the Mission League and finished ninth in the section finals. Senior Pat Anderson (145) is a two-time league champion who placed seventh at the section finals and is 57-14 in his career. Senior Sam Hornblower (171-189), the football team’s starting tailback, was 10-5 last season. Junior Jeff Jeager (160) placed third in league.

CITY SECTION

El Camino Real: The Conquistadores, section champions in 1995, are the only area team to interrupt defending champion Bell’s string of titles that began in 1993. With six returning seniors, El Camino Real might be at its best in Coach Terry Fischer’s six-year tenure. Junior Jared Maiden (152) placed second in the section. Seniors Cameron Mirochnick (125), Francisco Jordan (145), David Amaya (160) and Erick Cornejo (171) all placed third.

San Fernando: Sophomore Andy Moro, defending section champion at 119, returns at the same weight. Twin Eddie Moro placed second in the section at 125.

Granada Hills: Senior Melkon Melkonian (189), two-time defending section champion, was 28-7, including an 0-2 performance at the state finals. Melkonian is recovering from knee surgery and isn’t expected to be in form until January. Senior heavyweight Robert Alvarez was 19-8 last season before becoming ineligible. Senior Aaron Roepke (171-189) was 22-9 and placed third in the section last season. Junior Viken Melkonian (215) placed third in the section.