Thomas to Go Fishing at 160 Pounds

There’s no doubting Anthony Thomas is among the best wrestlers in the City Section. But Thomas wants to be more than a big fish in a small pond.

Thomas, a senior at 171 pounds for El Camino Real, was in peak form last week, extending his record to 30-0 in a dual meet against Ventura.

Thomas’ pin of David Askay in 1:21 was a bright spot for the two-time defending City champion Conquistadores in an otherwise disappointing showing against one of the Southern Section’s most-formidable programs.

Ventura won, 40-25.

El Camino Real scheduled a meet against Ventura for the purpose of toughening its charges. City wrestlers, who have a comparatively easier schedule than their Southern Section counterparts, historically have not fared well in the quest for a state championship.

Predictably, El Camino Real was overmatched against Ventura--except for Thomas, who recorded the Conquistadores’ only fall.

“I knew we needed it, so I went out there and got it,” he said.

Thomas, City champion last season at 171 pounds, is determined to slim down and step up against tougher competition. He said he intends to compete at 160 in the postseason, closer to his natural weight.

“I’ll be stronger,” Thomas said. “I’m easily under 165, so it won’t be hard.”

The same cannot be said for the task at hand.

No City entry in the state meet has placed higher than fifth, which Greg McMurray of El Camino Real achieved in 1989. Jose Barahona of Canoga Park placed eighth in 1995.

Thomas, who was eliminated in his first bout at the state meet last season at University of the Pacific in Stockton, appears to have benefited from the experience.

“If I don’t get taken down, I don’t think I’ll lose this season,” Thomas said. “I’ll be able to ride the other guys out.”

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It was only a matter of time for John Garfinkel of Highland.

Garfinkel, a contender for a state title at 160 pounds, became the state leader in pins last week with 124 in his career. Garfinkel, 42-1 with 29 pins this season, tied the mark of 123 established by Stuart Young, his former Highland teammate, by going 10-0 in the Highland dual meet tournament Jan. 9.

Garfinkel has won by fall in as few as 13 seconds this season.

“I’ve just been working really hard,” Garfinkel said with a shrug.

For four years.

Garfinkel began wrestling in the third grade and joined the Bulldogs’ varsity as a freshman. He made an immediate impact, posting a 59-5 record and routinely defeating opponents three years older while winning a Golden League title.

Garfinkel was 0-2 at the state meet last season. Don’t count on him coming away empty-handed this season.

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With the exodus this season of three-time defending champion Moorpark, the reconfigured Frontier League with the addition of Alemany and Chaminade, might become Calabasas’ domain.

With Moorpark a member of the Marmonte League, Calabasas improved to 3-0 in league dual meets Wednesday with a 55-21 victory over Santa Paula.

Eight Coyote wrestlers won by pin: Ricardo Ybarra (103), Dylan Loewe (125), Noah Golden (135), Stephen Hauss (140), Kevin Tominaga (160), Nick Onken (189), Richard Klein (215) and Bill Green (heavyweight).

Calabasas is scheduled to wrestle at Alemany (3-0) on Feb. 3.

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San Fernando remains the strongest challenge to El Camino Real’s hold on the City title.

The Tigers, second in the City last season, finished third among 34 teams last weekend in the Nogales tournament.

Ricky Aguirre, defending City champion at 103 pounds, placed first and was selected most valuable wrestler among lower weights.

San Fernando placed second in the Camarillo tournament and third in the North Torrance tournament.

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Anthony Thomas

El Camino Real

Year: Senior

Weight: 171 pounds

Profile: The defending City Section champion at 171 pounds. He is 30-0 this season at the same weight. Plans to wrestle at 160 pounds later this season.