Torres Repeats Himself : Royal Wrestler Wins Southern Section Title Again

Ray Torres of Royal High, a three-time Marmonte League champion, won his second consecutive Southern Section Division II title by defeating Burt Wooldridge of Rancho Verde, 7-2, on Saturday night at Westlake High.

Torres (43-2), a state qualifier as a junior, found the going difficult against Wooldridge, who entered the final with a 39-1 record, largely because of a pulled pectoral muscle suffered Friday in the opening round.

Accustomed to overpowering opponents with multiple takedowns, Torres managed only three against Wooldridge. Nevertheless, Torres never trailed and was in control from the start.

“He was tough,” Torres said. “But thanks to my trainers . . . I’m successful.

“He was a really good fighter and I knew I had to be quick. He was good on his feet. My shoulder hurts, but I’m going to be OK.”

Torres led, 2-1, after one period and 5-1 after two. Wooldridge, a senior who failed to place in last season’s section finals because of a broken arm, spent most of the bout trying to break free.

“He’s a good wrestler, what can I say?” Wooldridge said. “Good technical wrestler. If I had a different plan, maybe it would have been different.”

Royal Coach Pat Dobbs said Torres suffered the injury while recording a takedown Friday. But his wrestler uttered no complaints.

“He’s tough and he doesn’t like to be beaten,” Dobbs said.

“He hurt himself, but he told me not to worry about it. He went out and won one match, 31-16.”

Torres was one of four Marmonte League wrestlers in the finals.

Charles Sandlin of Camarillo (189 pounds) and heavyweight Chad Troxler of Simi Valley also reached the finals.

Senior Armando Torres of Newbury Park, a Marmonte League champion and seeded first at 130, was overwhelmed by junior Sal Garcia of Santa Fe, 14-3.

All four advanced to the Southern Section Masters Meet next weekend at Fountain Valley High.

After a scoreless first period, Armando Torres (32-8) moved ahead with a one-point escape before Garcia (35-7) scored 11 consecutive points.

“He just had a headlock on me and he made a few moves,” said Torres, no relation to Ray Torres of Royal. “I didn’t stay mentally focused. I’m disappointed. I’m a better wrestler than that.”

Justin Holt of Simi Valley placed third at 145 with a 7-3 victory over Josh Rydbeck of Marina. Wes Cobos of Thousand Oaks and Roger Neadeau of Channel Islands place fourth at 135 and 215.

Cobos lost to Rudy Jaquez of Northview, 7-1. Neadeau was pinned by Greg Freetage of Esperanza in 2:51.

Dylan Hull of Agoura placed fifth at 189 by pinning Paul Devries of Fountain Valley in 4:50.

Holt (39-4), Cobos (32-5), Neadeau and Hull (35-6), all Marmonte League champions, advanced to the Masters Meet.