Moorpark Holds Onto State Title

Saul Lucatero upset defending champion Casey Olson of Fresno and Moorpark College won its second consecutive title at the state wrestling championships at Golden West College on Saturday.

Lucatero (34-0) scored on a takedown early in the third period and held on for a 3-1 decision to capture the 149-pound title.

Cristobal Gonzalez captured the 184-pound title for the Raiders, who outdistanced runner-up Fresno, 110-94 1/2, and have won three of the last five state championships.

Gonzalez (8-1), who beat Phillip Miller of Victor Valley, 11-6, missed most of the season because of a cracked sternum. He returned two weeks ago for the Southern California regional.

“[Gonzalez] coming back was really a key,” Moorpark Coach Paul Keysaw said. “[Lucatero] did a good job of controlling his match. He has really dominated his weight class the past two years.”

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Ventura def. Cabrillo, 9-15, 15-9, 15-5, 16-4--Elena Salvador had 24 kills and the Pirates (20-4) won in the state championships at Delta College in Stockton.

Ventura plays an elimination match against Long Beach or Golden West today.

Jenille Boston added 17 kills and Kristen Jones had 18 digs for the Cougars (20-4).

Ventura, playing in the state tournament for the first time since 1991, lost, 15-8, 10-15, 15-7, 16-14, to Long Beach (21-0) earlier in the day.

San Joaquin Delta def. Moorpark, 15-13, 9-15, 15-9, 4-15, 15-12--Carina Nusinov had 20 kills, Toni-Ann Merendino added 18 but the Raiders were ousted from the double-elimination tournament.

Seven-time defending champion Golden West defeated Moorpark, 15-6, 15-3, 16-14, earlier in the day.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Crescenta Valley 76, Ridgecrest Burroughs 70--James Jenkins had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and the Falcons (5-0) won the Saugus tournament.

Crescenta Valley scored the final six points--four by Jenkins--to break a 70-70 tie in overtime. Jenkins was the tournament’s most valuable player.

Rory O’Neil of Burroughs scored 32 points. He hit a three-point basket to pull the Burros (4-1) to within 67-65 with 22 seconds left in regulation.

After Chris Tarne was fouled and made the second of two free throws to give Crescenta Valley a 68-65 lead, Pat Graham of Burroughs hit a three-point basket to send the game into overtime.

Oxnard 67, Saugus 56--Erik Webb and Lee Abair each had 18 points for the Yellowjackets (3-1), who took third in the Saugus tournament.