Some of West’s Best Meeting at Rio Mesa

Rio Mesa High’s annual wrestling tournament, a competition that in nine years has evolved into a battle of inter-state powers, concludes today with the final round scheduled for 6. Wrestling began Friday and resumes today at 9.

Eighteen schools are entered, including teams from Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon.

Buena, Hueneme, Newbury Park, Rio Mesa, Thousand Oaks and Ventura are entered.

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The formation of the Pacific View League and subsequent realignment of the Channel and Marmonte leagues has ruffled a few feathers among wrestling coaches.

The new league--Camarillo, Channel Islands, Hueneme, Oxnard and Rio Mesa--is competitive. But it was placed in Southern Section Division IV, a significant step down for former Division I entries Oxnard, Hueneme and Rio Mesa.

Camarillo and Channel Islands have long been formidable in the Division II Marmonte League. Likewise for Rio Mesa in the Channel League. Hueneme is among the region’s rapidly improving programs.

“I don’t know why they did it,” Coach Todd Stoke of Rio Mesa said. “We tried to fight it.”

The fractured Channel League is left with three teams--Buena, Dos Pueblos and Ventura. None of the league’s other schools have wrestling programs. The top three wrestlers in each weight division will advance from the league to section finals.

“It doesn’t make sense,” Coach Paul Clementi of Ventura said. “But I can guarantee you that everyone in our league will have someone qualify at every weight.”

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Highland, six-time defending Golden League champion and a Division IV power, remains the team to beat. But the Bulldogs, a perennially strong dual-meet team, figure to be challenged.

Palmdale, which placed first in its pool last week at the Schurr tournament, is at its strongest in years with the return of league champion Devon Zemp at 140 pounds and the addition of Ernesto Monje (119), a transfer from El Camino Real and a City champion last season.

Zemp and Monje recorded pins in dual-meet victories over Rosemead and La Canada. Mike Elliott (112), Sergio Santana (130), Mike Clark (160) and heavyweight Eugene Arcaro also recorded pins in the tournament.

Lancaster, in its first season with a senior class, and Littlerock are improving.

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John Garfinkel of Highland, the region’s most experienced wrestler, is closing in on the school record for victories.

Garfinkel, in his fourth varsity season, is one of two returning Southern Section wrestlers from the region who advanced to the state meet last season. He is 8-0 this season, raising his career total for victories to 178.

Stuart Young, son of Coach Mike Young of Highland, holds the school record with 198 victories from 1995-98.

Garfinkel was 58-6 last season and placed fourth at the Southern Section Masters meet.

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El Camino Real and Ventura, the region’s premiere City and Southern Section programs, will meet head to head for the first time Jan. 19 at Ventura.

El Camino Real is two-time defending City champion. Ventura is defending Channel League champion.