Eagles Looking Fittest Among Survivors

A meat grinder. That’s how El Modena Coach Alan Clinton described the Masters, the state qualifying meet that started Friday at Fountain Valley High.

“The tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife,” Clinton said. “All the kids have come here to do one thing. To get on that golden road to state. This meet is intense. It’s all a matter of staying alive.”

The meet concludes today with the quarterfinals and consolation rounds starting at 9 a.m.

The top eight athletes in each weight class advance to the state finals at the University of Pacific in Stockton next week.

“They’re all warriors,” Clinton said. “It’s like watching gladiators.”

Calvary Chapel, the state’s top-ranked team, had all 11 of its wrestlers advance to the quarterfinal round.

The Eagles’ four top-seeded wrestlers--Anthony Rodriquez (112 pounds), Steve Esparza (125), Joe Williams (160) and Willie Parks (171)--advanced along with teammates John Jackson (125), Mario Estrada (103), Frank Gill (135), Yuri Kalika (152), Conan Williams (189), Chad Jackson (140) and Justin Boulais (215).

Santa Ana, which also had 11 entered, advanced only Hugo Guzman (103), Ozvaldo Avalos (152) and Wyatt Howard (189) to the quarterfinals.

Villa Park’s Doug Yadon advanced after beating Santa Ana’s Juan Silva, 1-0, at 125 pounds.

Defending state champion Orlando Galvan (112) of Loara, who won by technical fall, advanced to the quarterfinal round, as did his brother Josh (119). Orlando Galvan will face Division I champion Uriel Chavez of Magnolia, who edged Kevin McCarthy of North Torrance, 8-7, in the second round.

Also advancing to the quarterfinals were: Daniel Dubois (145), El Dorado; Fernando Garcia (145), Kennedy; Brian Chen (140), University; Jonathan Keene (140), Mission Viejo; Andy Martinez (135), Los Alamitos; Danny Cadwallader (135), Brethren Christian; Bobby Goddard (152), Capistrano Valley; R.J. Clifford (152), Marina; Frank Richmond (152), Kennedy; Daniel Contreras (160), El Modena; Ian McCall (112), Dana Hills; Rene Perez (130) of Dana Hills, who beat Thomas Rubio of Troy, 14-4; Mike Garrelson (130), Los Alamitos, and Brian LeMay (145), Capistrano Valley.