For Highland’s Garfinkel, It’s Not All Academic

John Garfinkel’s progression from a skinny, 112-pound freshman to a dominant, 160-pound senior spanned four years and culminated with the Highland High wrestler placing third this season at the state finals in Stockton.

Garfinkel finished his high school career with a 232-29 record, four Golden League titles and a state-record 135 pins.

Garfinkel, The Times’ regional wrestler of the year, plans to continue wrestling in college.

Pound for pound, he ranks among the state’s best high school wrestlers, having advanced to the state finals three consecutive seasons at three different weights.

But athletics aren’t as likely to figure in his future as much as academics.

Garfinkel is valedictorian of his senior class with a 4.0 grade-point average. He is being recruited for an academic scholarship by Stanford and Cal State Bakersfield and intends to keep wrestling wherever he enrolls.

“It isn’t easy--I have to really work hard at it,” Garfinkel said. “It’s been a long, long time in the wrestling room. And I have to stay up late sometimes.”

Garfinkel’s well-rounded approach includes long hours poring over his studies and long hours in the wrestling room sharpening his moves. He also ran for the Highland cross-country team.

“He is an extremely dedicated kid,” Coach Mike Young of Highland said. “He has such a strong work ethic. He doesn’t let setbacks get in his way. That’s the reason he’s been so successful.”

Garfinkel experienced something new this season at the Southern Section Masters meet--being manhandled. For the first time in his career, Garfinkel was pinned, losing to Nathon Knutson of El Toro. However, he avenged the defeat with an 8-0 victory over Knutson in a consolation match.

“I didn’t like that,” Garfinkel said of the loss. “But I’m pretty happy about how it all turned out.”

*

Several wrestlers from the region excelled at 171 pounds. But there is no disputing who was the best.

Tiloi Tuitama of Hueneme and Anthony Thomas of El Camino Real settled the issue of local bragging rights in a first-round match at the state finals.

Tuitama, a two-time champion in the Channel and Pacific View leagues, won a tight contest, 7-4.

Tuitama placed fifth at the Masters meet, defeating Tyson Hadduck of Simi Valley and preventing Hadduck from advancing to the state meet.

Tuitama, whose father, Tiloi Sr., was a league-champion wrestler for Hueneme in 1968, finished 54-8, winning two of four matches at Stockton.

Thomas, two-time City champion at 171, finished 40-3. Hadduck was 37-8.

*

Twins Andy and Eddie Moro, born 53 minutes apart, remained extremely close throughout their four-year wrestling careers at San Fernando. For the third year in a row, both won City Section titles--Andy at 135 pounds, Eddie at 140.

Each season, the Moros moved up in weight, with Eddie competing at a higher division. Each year, the Moros solidified the heart of San Fernando’s lineup.

Andy one-upped his brother this season, winning a fourth consecutive City title. Eddie won his third in a row. Both totaled at least 20 victories in each season.

Andy (25-5) was only the second wrestler to win four City titles. The first was Jose Barahona of Canoga Park in 1995.

“This one was most important to me,” Andy said. “It was the hardest one to win.”

Eddie (27-7) got a leg up on his brother in Stockton, winning one of three matches before being eliminated.

*

What a difference a year made for the Ventura High wrestling team, perennially the region’s best program.

Last season, three Ventura wrestlers advanced to the state finals, and Cristobal Gonzalez became the region’s first state champion since 1985.

This season, only senior Trevor Clocherty advanced as far as the Masters meet.

Clocherty, whose brother Dustin was a state medalist last season, placed first at the Masters meet at 145 pounds, one of six tournaments in which he placed first.

Clocherty was eliminated from championship contention in the opening rounds of the state meet and finished 51-7.

*

Senior Devon Zemp of Palmdale concluded a four-year varsity career with several school records.

Zemp, 42-4 this season, set school career marks with 105 pins, 205 takedowns and 173 victories against 26 losses.

Zemp, a three-time Golden League champion, placed ninth at the Masters meet.

*

The Marmonte League will miss the memorable battles between middleweights Wes Cobos of Thousand Oaks and Shannan Sams of Royal.

Cobos, league champion at 145 pounds, defeated Sams in six consecutive bouts over two years, including three times this season. But the margins were narrow.

Cobos (33-2) edged Sams, 3-2, to place third at the Masters meet. Two weeks earlier, Cobos won a 5-3 overtime decision against Sams for the league title. Cobos also defeated Sams in overtime in a league dual meet.

“We pretty much know each other’s styles and what to expect,” Cobos said. “I like wrestling him.”