Monroe’s Bryan Turns Mat Trick

Arthur Bryan wore a tired expression and his limbs were nearly limp from exhaustion, but somehow the Monroe High wrestler found a final burst of energy.

The effort was good for a takedown in sudden-death overtime and gave Bryan an 8-6 victory over Mira Costa’s John Cordero in the 215-pound final of the San Fernando tournament Saturday. It also avenged his only loss of the season.

San Fernando took the team title, outdistancing runner-up Warren, 266-178. Warren is ranked No. 5 in the Southern Section division V poll. Camarillo, ranked No. 4 in the region by The Times, took third with 152 points.

Bryan, who won his weight class in the tournament for the third year in a row, averted disaster when he was nearly put on his back in regulation. But he found the winning maneuver with 52 seconds left in overtime. After thrusting his arms upward, he struggled to an adjacent mat and plopped down for a deserved break.

“He took a shot and I knew he was going to take another shot,” Bryan said. “I sprawled hard and spun behind and that’s what won me the match.”

Cordero defeated Bryan, 7-0, two weeks ago at the North Torrance tournament final. On Saturday, Bryan (32-1) found ways to score.

It was the fourth meeting between the two. Bryan defeated Cordero twice last season but in their first bout this season, Cordero frustrated Bryan with defense.

Bryan could have won the bout in regulation but Cordero tied the score, 6-6, when Bryan was penalized for stalling.

“I had a pin hold on and I was about to run it but [the officials] thought I took too long,” Bryan said. “I’d have to admit, I was pretty tired.”

Joseph Michel (112 pounds), Jason Rico (125), Ramon Perry (135) and Willie German (160) won individual titles for San Fernando, which won the tournament for the third time in six years.

German, who won the City Section 145-pound title last season as a freshman, pinned previously unbeaten Josh Roepke of Granada Hills in 3:08. Roepke entered the bout with 19 victories, all by pin.

“Willie just made some moves and out-toughed him,” San Fernando Coach Mike Castillo said. “Roepke made some moves that would have pinned other guys.”

Camarillo’s Hank Robles (103) and Ralph Garcia (189) and Moorpark’s Joe Sanchez (152) also won individual titles.