Thousand Oaks Holds Onto Top Position

The rest of the Marmonte League was circling at the start of the season, but a bruised and battered Thousand Oaks High School wrestling team has positioned itself for a third straight league title.

Resolving what had been season-long weaknesses in its lineup, Thousand Oaks needed just 10 of the 14 bouts to wrap up a 51-23 victory over visiting Royal.

Thousand Oaks (17-5, 4-0 in league) got a key victory from Dan Wiederkehr, who moved up in weight, and also got a boost from 189-pound Ron McKee, who made an appearance on the mat for the first time in two years.

The Lancers moved alone atop the Marmonte League standings thanks in part to Simi Valley’s victory over previously unbeaten Agoura on Thursday. Thousand Oaks faces Agoura next week.

Wiederkehr, who has endured illness and injury this season, lost a challenge match at 152 pounds to teammate William Velasquez during practice on Wednesday. Wiederkehr moved to 160 pounds.

Velasquez and Wiederkehr proved to be a valuable combination for Thousand Oaks. The Lancers have struggled at the upper weights for most of the season and lost the final five bouts in a 40-38 victory over Simi Valley last week.

Velasquez decisioned Roy Keowen, 20-3, and Wiederkehr followed by pinning Adam Burman in 3:02 to give Thousand Oaks a 39-14 lead with four bouts left.

Wiederkehr’s pin mathematically eliminated Royal (2-2, 2-2) from winning. Even if the Highlanders had gotten pins in the rest of the bouts they would have come up a point short.

“We knew we had to get five points and win one more and [Wiederkehr and Velasquez] came through,” Thousand Oaks co-coach Larry Mortensen said. “We had to do some shuffling and it worked.”

Thousand Oaks’ lineup changes successfully neutralized Royal’s Chris Rueckert (171) and Jon Koppenhaver (215), who were heavy favorites to win their bouts. Rueckert flipped Brad Talbott to the mat for a pin in 2:17 and Koppenhaver won a 12-5 decision over John Keirans.

McKee’s return did not prove to be as vital as Mortensen had originally thought, but if Royal had been close down the stretch he might have made a difference.

The senior missed last season with a knee injury and aggravated the injury during preseason practice this year.

He didn’t appear to be that rusty, taking an 8-2 lead over Lee Martin before Martin was disqualified after being warned for locking his hands.

“It’s nice to have him back,” Thousand Oaks co-coach Manny Valdez said. “He’s still a little out of shape but he’ll be stronger next week.”