Saints Meet Little Resistance

Santa Ana mowed through the first three rounds of the Southern Section Division II dual meet wrestling championships Saturday and then defeated Covina Northview, 54-11, in the title match.

“We worked all summer and fall for this,” said Santa Ana heavyweight Edwin Arvizo, who pinned Northview’s Justin McDowell in 56 seconds. “I really never thought we would lose this. We have been on a mission. And I think we can go all the way and take state.”

Bold words, indeed, but after watching the Santa Ana juggernaut Saturday, Arvizo’s statement didn’t seem that farfetched.

Santa Ana’s other victims were Montebello (67-3) in the first round, Hemet (67-12) in the second and San Clemente (68-3) in the semifinals. Northview beat Dana Hills, 43-23, in the other semifinal.

It was the Saints’ second consecutive dual meet championship.

Santa Ana (13-0) defeated Chino last year in the Division III final.

Santa Ana made a strong statement earlier in the season when the Saints defeated defending state champion Calvary Chapel. It was the first dual meet loss to an Orange County team for Calvary Chapel in nine years.

And on Thursday, Santa Ana had all 14 wrestlers qualify for the Southern Section Division II individual finals, a school record.

Before the final Saturday, Santa Ana Coach Scott Glabb seemed nonchalant. In fact, Glabb seemed more concerned about the state of the gym and spent his time directing the placement of the mat and making sure all the trash was swept up.

Said Glabb: “Yeah, maybe I was a little low key. But I don’t want you to think this match wasn’t important. Besides the win, it also gives our guys a chance to get ready for next week’s individual finals.”

Jose Najera, who is ranked first in the county at 112 pounds, won all his matches Saturday, including a 23-7 technical fall over Northview’s David Robinson in the final.

“We have to remain focused,” Najera said. “We can’t get too confident. But it still feels good to win another title. And when you feel like this, it seems anything is possible.”