Temecula Valley Is Aiming to Complete Stellar Season

Temecula Valley has already defeated three-time defending state-champion Santa Ana Calvary Chapel for the Southern Section team tournament and dual-meet championships.

Now the Golden Bears go for the big prize: the state title.

Ryan Kane, the defending state champion in the 145-pound class, leads Temecula Valley into the state wrestling meet Friday and Saturday at the University of Pacific in Stockton.

Kane is one of 112 wrestlers from the Southern Section who qualified for the state championships by finishing in the top eight in 14 weight classes at last week’s Masters meet at Fountain Valley.

Fourteen wrestlers from City Section schools qualified by winning titles at last week’s City championship meet at North Hills Monroe.

Temecula Valley finished fourth in last year’s state meet.

The Golden Bears qualified four wrestlers for this weekend’s tournament, including Kane at 160 pounds.

Santa Ana leads Southern Section schools with seven qualifiers. Calvary Chapel, going for its sixth state title in seven years, qualified six.

San Fernando, which finished second to champion Woodland Hills El Camino Real last week, leads City schools with five qualifiers. El Camino Real has four.

Masters meet and City Section meet champions among the competitors are:

103 pounds: Orlando Galvan (Anaheim Loara); Rick Aguirre (San Fernando).

112: Jose Najera (Santa Ana); Robert Reyes (San Fernando).

119: Mike Simpson (Brethren Christian); Edward Lemus (El Camino Real).

125: Adam Bones (Calvary Chapel); Richard Alvarado (Bell).

130: Steve Garcia (Brethren Christian); Roy Nissim (Chatsworth).

135: Tony Aparicio (Anaheim Loara); Andy Moro (San Fernando).

140: Trevor Clocherty (Ventura); Eddie Moro (San Fernando).

145: Steve Martinez (Montebello Schurr); Willie German (San Fernando).

152: Daniel Hernandez (El Monte Arroyo); Sal Flores (El Camino Real).

160: Ryan Kane (Temecula Valley); Andres Ojeda (Chatsworth).

171: Erik Dodier (Hesperia Sultana); Anthony Thomas (El Camino Real).

189: Steve Rose (Redondo Union); Jamar Cargo (El Camino Real).

215: J.T. Morales (El Monte); Arthur Bryan (Monroe).

275: Lionel Apineru (Barstow); Jorge Chavez (Monroe).