Laguna Hills Meet Runs True to Form Again

After 15 years of hosting the Laguna Hills tournament, Coach Cliff Jarmie has noticed a certain pattern that seems to recur every year at the one-day meet.

“It’s really weird,” he said. “We always have a couple of really good teams in the tournament, and they usually win it. But we also get some teams that aren’t that good. But those same teams will always have some individuals who are really good and will make it to the finals.”

Saturday’s meet was no exception as seven county wrestlers from unranked teams won titles.

Sonora had two champions in Adam Alshishani (189 pounds) and heavyweight Jason Rivera. Foothill’s Adam Miles, up from 135 pounds, defeated Brian Chen of University, 9-3, in the 140-pound final. Brian LeMay of Capistrano Valley, who is ranked first in the county at 145 pounds, won by technical fall over Alhambra’s James Campos, and the Cougars’ Gary Ullerich took the 215-pound title. University’s Alberto Gamboa, ranked second in the county, won the 160-pound title.

In team scoring, Laguna Hills, ranked fifth in the county, took second with 176.5 points. Alhambra, ranked fourth in Southern Section Division II, was first (195 points.) and Diamond Bar third (139.5).

Coming off its victory over Sea View League rival Irvine on Thursday, Laguna Hills had two champions.

Junior David Coles pulled out a victory against Foothill’s Evan Miles, who dropped from 140 to 135 pounds. Coles won, 5-3, after scoring a takedown in the last seconds of the match.

But it was senior John Plunket who had the most impressive win for the Hawks.

Tied, 4-4, in the third period, Plunkett remained patient against Brian De La Rosa of Alhambra, and when he saw an opening, he made his move to take De La Rosa to the mat for the pin.

Said Jarmie: “That was a really good match for Plunkett. He won against Irvine, but we worked on some things he was doing wrong in that match. He did exactly what we worked on, took his time and stuck his guy.”

Still, Jarmie felt his team could have done better, but might have suffered a slight letdown after its dual meet with Irvine..

“They were sky-high before Irvine,” Jarmie said. “So a little drop in intensity is understandable. But this tournament is great. The guys don’t get too beat up, but they get some really good competition.”

TRADING PLACES

The state’s top ranking teams have switched places once again as Calvary Chapel took second to Bakersfield at the Morro Bay Invitational Saturday.

Bakersfield finished with 270 points, 10 ahead of the Eagles.

In December, the Eagles were dropped from the top spot after losing to Bakersfield in a nonleague dual meet. But in January, Calvary Chapel moved back into first after beating Bakersfield at the Reno tournament.

Calvary Chapel was without its star 130-pounder, Steve Esparza, and Anthony Rodriguez (103).

“Esparza is still nursing the hip injury and Anthony still has problems with his elbow,” Eagle Coach John Azevedo said.

Santa Ana had five champions at the Troy tournament Saturday and won the event with 157 points.

Fernando Jaimes (135), Scott Becerra (140), Juan Serna (145), Ozzie Avalos (160) and Jimmy Becerra (171) won gold for the Saints. Saddleback’s Reyes Padilla won the 125-pound title. Trabuco Hills finished third (130.5) and Saddleback was fourth (106.5). . . . Third-ranked El Dorado held off No. 7 Irvine to win the Edison tournament, 33-28, Saturday. Jon Curtis of El Dorado sealed the victory for the Golden Hawks by pinning J.D. Hardin of Irivne in 2 minutes 43 seconds.

LOOKING AHEAD

The showdown between No. 1 Calvary Chapel and No. 2 Santa Ana takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Santa Ana.

Last year, the Eagles played host and manhandled the Saints, winning, 46-14.

But this year? According to Santa Ana 152-pounder Ozzie Avalos, if the Eagles think it’s going to be a stroll in the park, forget it.

“We’ve been looking forward to this match,” Avalos said. “I don’t see them coming here and stomping us. There’ll be some really good matchups and I think it will come down to who has more heart.”

Indeed, on paper, the nonleague meet will pair some of the county’s best. The 189-pound match features top-ranked Conan Williams of Calvary Chapel against second-ranked Wyatt Howard.

The last time they met was at Five Counties last month. Williams beat Howard, 7-5, to win the championship.

“That’s the match I’m looking forward to seeing,” Avalos said.

League finals take place Saturday at 6 p.m. for the Garden Grove League at Santiago High, the Sea View at Irvine High and the Sunset at Esperanza High.

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If you have an item or idea for wrestling report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at: erik.hamilton@latimes.com

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WRESTLING TOP 10

Orange County Coaches’ Poll

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Pos. School (League) 1. Calvary Chapel (Olympic) 2. Santa Ana (Golden West) 3. El Dorado (Empire) 4. Villa Park (Century) 5. Laguna Hills (Sea View) 6. El Modena (Century) 7. Irvine (Sea View) 8. Loara (Empire) 9. San Clemente (South Coast) 10T. Dana Hills (South Coast) 10T. Trabuco Hills (South Coast)

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Individual Rankings

103--1. Estrada (Calvary Chapel); 2. Guzman (Santa Ana); 3. Featherstone (Villa Park); 4. Tice (Fountain Valley); 5. Cullimore (San Clemente). 112--1. O. Galvan (Loara); 2. Rodriguez (Calvary Chapel); 3. Ramos (Los Amigos); 4. Cuellar (Santa Ana); 5. Barajas (Saddleback). 119--1. J. Galvan (Loara); 2. Aguilar (Canyon); 3. Gaitron (Katella); 4. Lim (Newport Harbor); 5. Chavez (Magnolia). 125--1. Yadon (Villa Park); 2. Silva (Santa Ana); 3. Jackson (Calvary Chapel); 4. Tinoco (El Modena); 5. Padilla (Saddleback). 130--1. Esparza (Calvary Chapel); 2. Rubio (Santa Ana); 3. Wimer (Marina); 4. Perez (Dana Hills); 5. Rust (El Dorado). 135--1. Gill (Calvary Chapel); 2. Cadawallader (Brethren Christian); 3. Coles (Laguna Hills); 4. Jaimes (Santa Ana); 5. A. Miles (Foothill). 140--1. Keene (Mission Viejo); 2. Barger (Villa Park); 3. Aguilar (Mater Dei); 4. Collins (El Dorado); 5. E. Miles (Foothill). 145--1. LaMay (Capistrano Valley); 2. Serna (Santa Ana); 3. Buenrostro (Santa Ana Valley); 4. Garcia (Kennedy); 5. Markstrom (Troy). 152--1. Avalos (Santa Ana); 2. Richmond (Kennedy); 3. Kalika (Calvary Chapel); 4. Meza (Buena Park); 5. Diaz (Villa Park). 160--1. J. Williams (Calvary Chapel); 2. Gamboa (University); 3. Eyer (Irvine); 4. Contreras (El Modena); 5. Sullivan (Canyon). 171--1. Parks (Calvary Chapel); 2. Becerra (Santa Ana); 3. Blair (Dana Hills); 4. Gleason (El Modena); 5. Judd (Tustin). 189--1. C. Williams (Calvary Chapel); 2. Howard (Santa Ana); 3. Carroll (Trabuco Hills); 4. Bustrom (El Dorado); 5. Lindenblatt (Laguna Hills). 215--1. Montano (El Dorado); 2. Thaler (Estancia); 3. Noble (Irvine); 4. Ullrich (Capistrano Valley); 5. Boulais (Calvary Chapel). HEAVYWEIGHT--1. Chanda (Trabuco Hills); 2. Arrevalos (Mater Dei); 3. Arvizo (Santa Ana); 4. Hernandez (Loara); 5. Lukes (El Modena).