Santa Ana Shows Wrestling Strength

Santa Ana, the county’s top-ranked wrestling program, had six wrestlers reach the quarterfinals at the Five Counties Tournament at Fountain Valley High.

Also with a strong showing Friday was third-ranked Brethren Christian, which had four quarterfinalists. Second-ranked Calvary Chapel had three, Loara had two and Brea Olinda, Irvine, and Fountain Valley each had one.

A total of 668 wrestlers, representing 64 teams throughout the state in 14 different weight classifications took part.

The start of the tournament was delayed almost 40 minutes due to a computer malfunction. But the tournament ran smoothly once it began.

Vince Aldana, the county’s top-rated 103-pound wrestler, was the first Santa Ana competitor to qualify for today’s quarterfinal round. Following an opening round bye, Aldana defeated Madera’s Gerrard Contreras, 8-4, and came from behind to beat Loara’s Orlando Galvin, 8-6.

“It would be nice to get pins but getting to the second day is the most important thing,” said Aldana, 25-4 this season and appearing in his first Five Counties Tournament.

Brethren Christian’s Mike Simpson, a defending Southern Section champion, powered his way into the 119-pound quarterfinals after a first-round bye by pinning Jason Quintero of Rio Rancho (N.M.) at 2:20, and winning by technical fall against Century’s Rodolfo Castro. Simpson, the county’s top-ranked 119-pound wrestler, is 32-0 this season.

“I finished second here last year, and this year I’m out to win,” Simpson said. “I’ve been told this is the toughest weight class to win. Any one of the top six to eight wrestlers can be champion. It depends on who wants it the most.”

Championship quarterfinal matches begin at 9 a.m. today. Championship semifinal rounds are scheduled at 12:45 p.m. The championship finals begin at 7 p.m.