Conquistadores Make the Cut

It’s that time of the year again for the El Camino Real High wrestling team: Time to contend for another City Section championship.

The Conquistadores moved within a match of their second consecutive title and fourth in seven years with a pair of decisive victories in the City dual meet championships Tuesday afternoon at El Camino Real.

After crushing Garfield in the quarterfinals, 78-4, the Conquistadores (10-4-1) registered pins in 10 of 14 bouts on their way to a 69-9 semifinal victory over Canoga Park (7-6).

Competing in the 215-pound class, Alex Perez improved his record to 20-5 with quick pins of Garfield’s Joe Hernandez in 1:52 and Canoga Park’s Cosme Zelya in 3:15.

“He’s been one of our most dominant wrestlers all season,” said Terry Fischer, El Camino Real’s coach.

Keith Thomas needed only 45 seconds to pin Adam Bartels of Canoga Park in the 152-pound semifinals, improving his record to 10-0 since returning from reconstructive knee surgery last month.

In the semifinals, El Camino Real dominated the higher weight classes, losing only the heavyweight division.

In the lighter weight classes, Eric Newman (119 pounds), Edward Lemus (125) and Noe Duran (130) each notched two victories.

Cardona registered two pins for the Hunters, who advanced to the semifinals with a 73-12 victory over University and a 40-31 triumph over Bell.

The Conquistadores will meet top-seeded San Fernando for the City championship Thursday night at El Camino Real. San Fernando defeated the Conquistadores, 34-31, in a dual meet Thursday.

San Fernando 45, Monroe 36--The absence of three defending City champions did not stop San Fernando (13-3) from sweeping its two matches at Granada Hills.

Jose Osorio was 1-1 at 127 pounds and Anthony Rico finished 2-0 at 152 pounds.

Joe Hernandez at 121 pounds, Andy Moro at 132 and Eddie Moro at 135 failed to make weight.

San Fernando had earlier clinched a berth in the finals with a 45-31 victory over Chatsworth.