San Fernando Wins City Championship

Will German of San Fernando High won his third consecutive City Section wrestling title in his third weight class Saturday night at University High.

But what made the junior’s latest victory the most satisfying was sharing it with teammates.

German was named outstanding wrestler of the tournament and San Fernando captured its first City team championship in 10 years, accumulating 215 points to dethrone three-time defending champion Woodland Hills El Camino Real, which scored 173.

“The difference this year is that our margin wrestlers won, whereas in the past they’ve lost,” said San Fernando Coach Mike Castillo, whose team was runner-up to El Camino Real in each of the previous four years.

“Also, we got a lot of help from other schools like Bell, Monroe and Granada Hills that spread the wealth a little more. Our good wrestlers have always come through, but today we got great performances from everybody. We’re really proud.”

San Fernando last won the title in 1991, Castillo’s second year as coach.

German (22-0) defeated defending champion Andreik De Leon of El Camino Real, 4-3, to win the 171-pound title. It was his fourth victory over De Leon this season.

German scored the winning point on an escape in the second round that negated a reversal by De Leon. German won City titles at 140 pounds as a freshman and at 160 pounds as a sophomore.

“It’s a beautiful feeling,” German said. “It’s hard wrestling the same guy so many times because he knows all your moves. And he’s good.”

El Camino Real had won 10 of the previous 15 City titles. But San Fernando had a 24-point lead entering the championship round and wasn’t about to let it slip away.

“We weren’t satisfied with winning, we all wanted pins,” said senior co-captain Victor Solano, who pinned Bell’s Hugo Avila in 3:16 to win the 119-pound title.

Ramon Perry (15-2) clinched the Tigers’ victory by pinning Brian Straight of Granada Hills at 4:49 to take the 145-pound title.

Conrad Silva earned a key victory for San Fernando the Tigers at 160 pounds, pinning El Camino Real sophomore Alex Welch in 5:32.

Granada Hills finished third with 83 points, followed by Van Nuys Birmingham (82 1/2), Bell (81) and University (73).