It’s Four on the Floor for Brethren’s Simpson

After winning his fourth Southern Section Division I title on Saturday, Michael Simpson of Brethren Christian said he can’t really say which title holds more importance.

“My first title in my freshman year was tough,” Simpson said. “I was going against the returning state champion Brian Sanchez of Calexico. It was hard. Also my sophomore year, when I wrestled Steve Esparza of Calvary Chapel. That match went into overtime. But they’re all great.”

Simpson will be competing in the Masters tournament Saturday at Fountain Valley High, the qualifying meet for state finals.

At the Division I finals Saturday, Simpson defeated Luis Fragoso of Arroyo, 16-1.

Simpson believes he has a good shot at winning his second consecutive state title. However, he realizes he has to get through Masters.

But unless Simpson is injured, doesn’t make weight or misses the bus, the defending state champion should win the 125-pound class.

“You have to take it a match at a time, but you have to have goals. My goal is to win back-to-back state titles,” Simpson said.

One of the nation’s more highly recruited wrestlers, Simpson passed on top schools like Oklahoma and Iowa and opted to wrestle for Arizona State.

“They have a lot of confidence in me,” Simpson said. “I won’t be on the bench. I’ll be competing all the time, and that’s what I want.”

Simpson said his ultimate goal is to win an NCAA title, something his coach at Brethren Christian believes he can do.

“I have every bit of confidence that Michael will be a national champion. I’d bet money on it,” Mark Cody said.

As for now, Simpson is focused on Masters.

“He hates to lose. . . . any time. Even in practice,” Cody said. “I think he can win it all.”

REDEMPTION

John Phillips was feeling pretty low the past few weeks.

After Irvine lost the Sea View League dual-meet and tournament titles earlier this month, the Vaquero coach was starting to have doubts about his future in coaching.

Laguna Hills, which joined the Sea View League last fall, won both meets.

But Irvine made amends Saturday, when the Vaqueros took second at the Southern Section Division II finals, winning two titles and qualifying five finalists to Masters.

Laguna Hills, which qualified 13 to the division finals two weeks ago, was unable to qualify any of its wrestlers to Masters.

“That is the most I’ve ever had in the finals,” Phillips said. “I feel completely redeemed.”

Irvine’s two champions, Robert Antenore (125 pounds) and heavyweight Josh Worthington, were key to the Vaqueros’ runner-up finish with 142.5 points. Dana Hills, the South Coast League champion, took third with 136 points. Joe Cobo (145) and Wyatt Howard (160) took second for Irvine.

LAST STOP TO STATE

The Masters, the Southern Section’s qualifying meet to the state finals, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Fountain Valley.

There are no team points in this event and the top eight wrestlers in each weight class advance to the state meet.

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