Ocampo Manhandles the Boys

Oh, boy, does Olivia Ocampo like to wrestle. And win.

“Awesome,” Ocampo exclaimed. “I made history.”

Ocampo, a 4-foot-9, 103-pound senior for Channel Islands High, became the first girl in California to win a league wrestling championship by defeating Hank Robles of Camarillo, 12-7, in the Marmonte League finals Saturday at Channel Islands.

Ocampo, 23-4, in December became the first girl in the state to place first in a varsity tournament. This week, Ocampo, who began wrestling three years ago, finished with a 7-0 record in league dual meets.

Throughout the season, “O,” as Ocampo is affectionately known around campus, has made believers of skeptics, including her coach.

“For me, wrestling had no room for women,” said Valo Barajas, a former Channel Islands wrestler in his first season as coach. “I said, ‘Yeah, she’ll win a few matches.’ But you should see her work ethic. It changed my perception from coaching a woman to coaching a wrestler.”

Ocampo looked every bit the part while outmaneuvering Robles for the second time this season--much to the delight of a partisan crowd. She recorded a takedown seconds after the opening whistle and never trailed, despite taking breaks to nurse a sore elbow.

“Last time I wrestled him, he took me down and I said that’s not going to happen again,” Ocampo said. “My elbow has been real fatigued, but I can still wrestle.

“I feel like whatever I’ve been working for has paid off. I pushed out all the negative thoughts and it became possible.”

Heavyweight Chad Troxler of Simi Valley, Wes Cobos of Thousand Oaks (135 pounds) and Dylan Hull of Agoura (189) all repeated as league champions.

Troxler (40-6), who placed third in the state as a junior, won a third consecutive title by pinning Brian Smith in 3 minutes 17 seconds.

“I was psyched up,” Troxler said. “I’m pretty healthy this time of year.”

Hull (27-2), a senior, dominated Nate MacArthur of Newbury Park, 12-1, allowing an escape in the third period.

Cobos (25-5) had a more difficult contest, defeating Shannon Sams of Royal, 1-0. Cobos recorded an escape in the third period.

“It was a tougher weight class this year,” Cobos said. “I just kept standing up on him and I was bound to get free.”

Michael Brems of Newbury Park, a triplet, won at 119 pounds, pinning Ben Bedhu of Simi Valley in 1:31. It was Brems’ third victory by pin in the tournament and, besides Troxler’s, the only pin in the final round.

Brems improved to 32-3 with 22 pins.

“I turned him on his back,” Brems said. “That move is called a Saturday Night Ride. It’s my first [title], so it feels good.”

In other matches, Ricardo Gomez (215) of Channel Islands upset defending champion Steve Jaurequi of Thousand Oaks, 5-0.

James Logan of Newbury Park defeated James Mastri of Camarillo, 7-0, in the 171-pound final.

At 145, Larry Schneider of Thousand Oaks defeated Chris Rueckert of Royal, 11-3.