Marmonte Qualifies Seven for the Masters

Seven Marmonte League wrestlers qualified to the Southern Section Masters meet Saturday after two days of intense competition in the Division III finals at North Torrance High.

Only six, however, likely will compete. And none will go as division champions.

“The main thing is that we move on,” said Tyson Hadduck of Simi Valley. “Monday, I start practicing again.”

Hadduck, a junior at 171 pounds, and Larry Schneider of Thousand Oaks, a senior at 152, were defeated in the finals Saturday.

The top five in each of 14 weight divisions advanced to the two-day Masters meet beginning Friday at Fountain Valley High.

Jared Brems of Newbury Park (135), Shannan Sams (145) of Royal, Wes Cobos of Thousand Oaks (145), Chris Rueckert of Royal (152) and heavyweight Chris Jansen of Thousand Oaks also advanced.

Schneider, a two-time league champion and section runner-up last season, might be finished for the season after losing to Phil Hunt of Fountain Valley, 4-2, in the final.

His right knee wrapped in ice, Schneider wept in pain after the bout. Schneider has nursed torn ligaments throughout the season, but this weekend’s competition appeared to take its toll.

Hadduck was pinned in 60 seconds by Danny Rooks of Katella. Hadduck, seeded eighth in the section finals, made a strong showing. But he was taken down by Rooks soon after the opening whistle.

“He caught me off-guard,” Hadduck said. “I really didn’t wrestle him too long to find out what he did.”

Cobos and Sams met for the third time this season, waging a predictably tight struggle for third place at 145 pounds, with Cobos coming out on top, 3-2.

Cobos (33-2) defeated Sams, 5-3, in overtime for the Marmonte League title two weeks ago. He defeated Sams in overtime in a league dual meet this season and has defeated Sams six consecutive times over two years.

“For the most part, we both know each other’s styles,” Cobos said. “I don’t really go with a game plan. I just keep going after him, trying things to see what works.”

Sams (34-5) hopes for another shot at Cobos at the Masters meet.

“One of these times, I’ll get him,” Sams said. “Every time, I think I have him off-balance, but he gets back quickly. The main thing is, we both moved on.”

Jansen (33-5) defeated Jorge Guerrero of Glenn, 9-4, to finish third.

Rueckert of Royal finished fourth, losing, 5-2, to Eddie Marshall of Marina.

Brems of Newbury Park squeezed into the Masters meet by beating David De La Rosa of Palm Springs at 135 pounds, 6-4.

Southern Section Division I individual championships--Ventura High finished in 14th place at A.B. Miller High in Fontana.

Trevor Clocherty of Ventura qualified for the Master’s meet.

Clocherty finished fourth in the 140-pound division with a record of 4-2.