Troxler Takes Another Title

Four Marmonte League wrestlers reached the final round of the Southern Section Division II finals Saturday night at Westlake High.

Only heavyweight Chad Troxler of Simi Valley emerged victorious.

Troxler (45-6), a three-time league champion, won a second consecutive division title with a 7-4 victory over Brett Schleger of Temecula Valley.

Troxler emerged with a sore left arm after going undefeated in five matches during the two-day tournament.

“It was tough,” Troxler said.

Senior Steve Jauregui of Thousand Oaks lost 6-4, in overtime in the 215-pound final against top-seeded Brian Smith of Apple Valley.

Camarillo senior Josh Berman lost, 11-4, to Jason Palmer of Rancho Verde at 152 pounds. Larry Schneider, a Thousand Oaks junior, was defeated by defending champion Ryan Kane of Temecula Valley, 15-3.

The top six wrestlers in each of 14 weight divisions advanced to the Masters Meet on Saturday at Fountain Valley High. The top eight qualifiers at Masters will advance to the state finals in Stockton the following week.

Berman (30-4), league champion and seeded third, led, 3-1, late in the second period thanks to an escape and quick takedown after a scoreless first period.

Late in the second period, Palmer executed a reversal to pull even and gain momentum.

“I was wrestling his style, trying to tie up” Berman said. “I was working for the takedown, I just couldn’t get it.

“The competition was good. They gave me a run for my money here.”

Palmer (39-3) allowed Berman only an escape in the third period.

Schneider (40-2), seeded second, was overwhelmed by Kane, who recorded a takedown three seconds into the bout and had four by the end of the first period.

Kane (44-4), a Sunbelt League champion, placed first at the Masters Meet last season.

“He was a tough guy,” Schneider said. “I couldn’t defend him, really. He kept shooting under and I couldn’t stop it. He has a lot more experience than me.”

Senior Dylan Hull of Agoura, a two-time Marmonte League champion, placed third with a pin of Mike Mayo of Fountain Valley in 2:20. Hull improved to 31-3.

Craig Baldwin of Camarillo, who placed sixth at 140 pounds, also advanced.

In the Division I finals:

Cristobal Gonzalez and Dustin Clocherty of Ventura each won individual titles to help the Cougars place third in the meet at Canyon Springs High in Moreno Valley.

Gonzalez won the 189-pound division and Clocherty the 135-pound class to help Ventura score 124 points.

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, the defending state champion, won with 250 1/2 points and Brethren Christian finished second with 130.