Laguna Hills Switches Leagues But Results Remain the Same

Laguna Hills had ruled the Pacific Coast League since 1986, but when the Hawks joined the Sea View League last fall, they knew they’d be challenged by Irvine, the reigning champion.

The Sea View League figured to provide a much stronger test than the Pacific Coast League, where Cliff Jarmie coached the Hawks to 12 consecutive titles.

“Except for three meets during my years in the Pacific Coast League, there hasn’t been that much competition,” Jarmie said. “So while it might be tough for the other sports at Laguna Hills to be in the Sea View League now, from the standpoint of wrestling, it’s a good thing.”

Jarmie said he knew his team would be competitive with Irvine. But he had no idea the Hawks would come away with a Sea View League tournament title.

Jarmie had particular praise for senior Brandon Hobbs, whose heavyweight match with Irvine’s Josh Worthington preserved Laguna Hills’ tournament victory.

Worthington, the defending league champion and the county’s third-ranked heavyweight, needed to pin Hobbs to earn the points Irvine needed to win the title. Hobbs, who was wrestling in place of injured Joe Viglione, lost, 5-2, but prevented the pin.

Laguna Hills won with 205 points. Irvine was second with 204.

“That’s the kind of spirit we have on this team,” Jarmie said. “Brandon was really out of shape because he hasn’t been wrestling that long. But he stuck it out and held on.”

Laguna Hills and Irvine will represent the Sea View League in the Southern Section Division II dual-meet championships on Saturday. The top two teams from each league advance to the meet.

For Jarmie, whose teams have finished second six times at the dual-meet championships, a title Saturday would be sweet.

“I think if I had to pick, I’d say I’d like dual meets better than tournaments,” Jarmie said. “There’s a lot more excitement. To win the [dual-meet] title . . . that would be nice.”

NO TIES HERE

Dana Hills shared the South Coast League dual-meet title with San Clemente and Mission Viejo. But on Saturday, the Dolphins made it clear that the league tournament belonged to them.

Dana Hills had eight finalists and five champions. The Dolphins finished with 164.5 points. San Clemente was second with 145 and Mission Viejo third with 118.

PARKS QUESTIONABLE

Villa Park’s Willie Parks, ranked second in the county at 152 pounds, may miss the Division I dual-meet championships Saturday.

“He hurt his ankle in practice,” said Spartan Coach Steve Stewart. “We want him healthy for the [section] individual finals, so I’ll keep him out if it’s a problem.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Calvary Chapel, the state’s top-ranked team, will host the Division I dual-meet championships on Saturday . . . at Villa Park High.

“It was a question of [venue] size,” said Stewart, coach of the Spartans, who are the No. 3 seed in the 16-team tournament. “Their gym is just too small to accommodate all the teams.”

Calvary Chapel is seeded first, Temecula Valley is second and Brawley is fourth.

The tournament starts at 11 a.m.

Today, the Southern Section will release sites and brackets for the three other division finals, also on Saturday.

If you have an item or idea for the wrestling report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail erik.hamilton@latimes.com