El Camino Real Wrestlers on Top of World

Of 25 regional wrestlers entered Saturday in the Southern Section Masters Meet at Fountain Valley High, only Cristobal Gonzalez of Ventura emerged a champion.

Gonzalez (45-0), a two-time Channel League champion and state qualifier last season as a sophomore, placed first at 189 pounds when Charles Sandlin of Camarillo defaulted in the final because of a back injury.

Gonzalez, ranked third in the state, likely would have defeated Sandlin (30-3), who placed second in the Marmonte League before winning a Division II title.

“Masters is one of the toughest tournaments around,” Gonzalez said. “I was going to drop to 171 pounds, but it would have been too tough.”

Sandlin said he had been plagued by the injury all season.

“I didn’t want to chance it,” Sandlin said. “It would have been a good match. We scrap all the time in practice.”

Senior heavyweight Chad Troxler of Simi Valley and junior Joe Martinez of Ventura (215) both lost in the finals.

Troxler (42-5), Marmonte League and Division II champion, lost to Hector Torres of Rosemead, 4-2, in overtime. Torres is ranked first in the state, Troxler second.

“I should have beaten him,” Troxler said. “He was taking time outs like they were water.

“There are a lot of tough guys here. I feel I’m right on top.”

Martinez (50-6), Channel League champion, lost to Phillip Alejandrino of Chino, 8-7.

“My coaches had a lot of faith in me,” Martinez said, “but I didn’t expect to get this far.”

Twelve regional wrestlers qualified for the state finals next weekend at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Ray Torres of Royal, Marmonte League and Division II champion at 160 pounds, finished fifth. Torres (46-3) was slowed by a sprained left shoulder. Torres finished fourth at Masters last year.

Arando Torres of Newbury Park placed third at 130 pounds.

Others who qualified for the state meet were: Dustin Clocherty of Ventura (fourth at 130), Stuart Young of Highland (fourth at 145), Roger Neadeau of Channel Islands (sixth at 215), Roland Aldabert of Highland (eighth at 119), Joe Younan of Highland (eighth at heavyweight), Jacob Waasdorp of Quartz Hill (eighth at 215), and Sandlin.