Calvary Chapel Is Seeking Its Fifth Title in Last Six Years

Calvary Chapel, the defending state champion, is looking for its fifth title in the last six years at the state wrestling championships, which begin today at University of the Pacific’s Spanos Center in Stockton.

The Eagles are second on the all-time state championship list behind Clovis, which won six titles from 1974 to 1992. Orange County will be represented by 37 wrestlers.

Brethren Christian qualified four wrestlers, second among county teams only to Olympic League rival Calvary Chapel, which qualified seven.

Heading the county’s list of participants are sophomores Mike Simpson of Brethren Christian (103 pounds) and Andy Bones of Calvary Chapel (112), who are seeded first in their weight classes.

Also seeded first is Calvary Chapel senior Mike Bigrigg (189), who was the surprise at the Masters Meet Saturday when he defeated Ventura’s Cristobal Gonzales for the championship.

Competition starts at 8 a.m. today and Saturday. Championship finals begin at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The county entrants:

103 pounds--Mike Simpson, So., Brethren Christian; Jerin Williams, Jr., El Modena; Tony Perez, Sr., Santa Ana; Steve Esparza, Fr., Calvary Chapel. 112--Andy Bones, So., Calvary Chapel; Jose Najera, Jr., Santa Ana; Jack Anaya, Sr., Valencia. 119--Rigo Pinon, Sr., Newport Harbor; Jose Leon, Jr., Santa Ana; Steve Garcia, So., Brethren Christian; Bryan Masumoto, Sr., Fountain Valley.

125--Larry Rodriguez, Sr., Brethren Christian; Clint Chin, Sr., Fountain Valley; Josh Johnson, Jr., Calvary Chapel. 130--Harvey Garcia, Sr. Los Amigos; Manuel Villagomez, Sr., Santa Ana. 135--Richard Feistman, Sr., Kennedy. 140--Pat Cadwallader, Sr., Brethren Christian; Bob Griffin, Sr., Laguna Hills. 145--Ben Nakamura, Sr., Calvary Chapel; Jesse Carrasco, Sr., Troy. 152--Jason Benicki, Sr., Sonora. 160--Mike Quesnel, Sr., Laguna Hills; Arsen Aleksanyan, Sr., Calvary Chapel; Ramiro Carasa, Jr., Century.

171--Eric Dodier, Jr., Trabuco Hills; Tim Dye, Sr., Anaheim; Sion King, Jr., El Dorado; Matt McRae, Sr., El Dorado; Steve Sanchez, Jr., Santa Ana Valley. 189--Mike Bigrigg, Sr., Calvary Chapel; Edgar Saldivar, Sr., Anaheim. 215--Josh Saul, Sr., Calvary Chapel; Jack Fadule, Sr., Trabuco Hills; Daniel Melendez, Jr., Santiago. Hwt--Robert Richardson, Sr., San Clemente; Neal Schwartz, Sr., Magnolia.