Fresno Muscles Titles Away From Moorpark, Sandlin

No trip to the hospital this time, but the outcome was just as painful for Chuck Sandlin.

Probably more.

“It’s the worst feeling in the world,” Sandlin said.

Sandlin, a Moorpark College sophomore, lay half-sprawled in a locker room hallway after losing, 5-4, to Jason Rossotti of Fresno in the 184-pound final of the state junior college wrestling championships Saturday night.

Sandlin, defending state champion, lost to Rossotti for the fourth time in five bouts this season--including an overtime loss at Moorpark in October after which he collapsed from dehydration.

Rossotti (31-1) and Sandlin (26-4), whose only losses have come against the other, predictably waged a tight struggle.

Sandlin took a 3-0 second-period lead only to wind up with his head buried in Rossotti’s midsection, trying in vain to record a winning move as time expired.

Moorpark, defending state champion, likewise fell short, finishing 16th in team competition. The Raiders, who won state titles in 1990 and 1991, finished second this season in the Western State Conference.

Fresno placed first with 124 points, ahead of Palomar’s 77 and Skyline’s 67 1/2.

Sandlin, the only wrestler among six Moorpark entries to reach the finals, defeated Rossotti, 14-8, in their last meeting at the Southern Regional final two weeks ago.

But optimism gave way to disappointment. Sandlin, who won last season at 177 pounds, bled slightly from the mouth while recapping the bout.

“I worked too hard for this,” Sandlin said. “I’m completely worn.”

Rossotti, a freshman, likewise breathed heavily while praising his opponent.

“He kind of reminds me of myself,” Rossotti said. “He used to play football, and, from what I hear, he gets pretty good grades.

“He’s mostly upper-body strength, so you have to play it smart and be careful. I was concerned when I was down, 3-0, but I knew I could come back.”

Sandlin, a former state qualifier for Camarillo High, extended his lead to 3-0 with an easy escape seconds into the second period. Rossotti recorded a takedown with 13 seconds left in the second period to close to within 3-2.

In the third period, Rossotti took Sandlin down by the ankles with 1:10 to go.

“I told Chuck that he had a great career here at Moorpark and he had nothing to be ashamed of,” Moorpark Coach Paul Keysaw said.

“You can’t take anything away from Rossotti. It all came down to differing styles.”