Gonzalez Turns Life Around, and It Pays Off

When Cristobal Gonzalez of Ventura won a 5-4 decision over David Schenk of Anderson on March 7 at University of the Pacific in Stockton, he became the first state wrestling champion from the region since 1985.

Everyone knew the potential of Gonzalez, a senior 189-pounder. He advanced to the state meet as a sophomore and placed third at 189 pounds as a junior.

But was he committed?

Ventura Coach Paul Clementi, after suspending his best wrestler last season for the duration of a tournament, wasn’t so sure. Gonzalez last season flirted with ineligibility because of truancy and apathy toward academics.

“It really looked for awhile like we were going to lose him,” Clementi said. “But he made such a turnaround in his personal life.”

Despite breezing to a third consecutive Channel League title, Gonzalez, who finished 56-3, remained dedicated.

His victory over Schenk was the second in three meetings this season and helped earn him The Times’ regional wrestler of the year award.

“I did a lot of thinking and said to myself, ‘Who is going to lead this team?’ ” Gonzalez said. “It’s going to be me.”

Ventura captured its seventh Channel League title in nine years. Led by Gonzalez, Dustin Clocherty and Joe Martinez, the Cougars placed 10th in the state.

Gonzalez enters the national finals today at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

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FIRST TEAM

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Wt. Name, School Yr. 103 Richard Aguirre, San Fernando Jr. City Section champion 112 Tew Boonyawan, Canoga Park Sr. City Section champion 119 Joe Hernandez, San Fernando Sr. City Section champion 125 Jaime Reyes, San Fernando Sr. City Section champion 130 Andy Moro, San Fernando Jr. City Section champion 135 Dustin Clocherty, Ventura Sr. Fourth in state, first at Southern Section Masters 140 John Garfinkel, Highland Jr. Fifth at Southern Section Masters 145 Art Lucero, El Camino Real Sr. City Section champion 152 Keith Thomas, El Camino Real Sr. City Section champion 160 Stuart Young, Highland Sr. Third in Southern Section 171 Tiloi Tuitama, Hueneme Jr. Sixth in Southern Section 189 Dylan Hull, Agoura Sr. Fifth in Southern Section 215 Joe Martinez, Ventura Sr. Sixth in state, third at Masters HWT Chad Troxler, Simi Valley Sr. Fourth in state

Wt. Rec. 103 33-8 City Section champion 112 22-4 City Section champion 119 25-9 City Section champion 125 24-12 City Section champion 130 27-7 City Section champion 135 52-4 Fourth in state, first at Southern Section Masters 140 55-6 Fifth at Southern Section Masters 145 22-8 City Section champion 152 18-2 City Section champion 160 53-8 Third in Southern Section 171 46-9 Sixth in Southern Section 189 36-7 Fifth in Southern Section 215 42-9 Sixth in state, third at Masters HWT 55-7 Fourth in state

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Notable Finishes