Calvary Chapel’s Estrada Dominates

It’s not supposed to be easy winning a Southern Section Masters wrestling championship, but Mario Estrada of Santa Ana Calvary Chapel sure made it look that way in the first two rounds of the tournament Friday at Fountain Valley High.

Estrada, the only previous champion entered, breezed through his first two matches, pinning Israel McMillan of El Dorado 1:00 in the first round, then pinning Danny Leyva of Hesperia in 1:05 in the second round.

His quest to win a second title resumes today with a quarterfinal match against Ryan Montgomery of Huntington Beach Edison.

“I really didn’t want to wrestle that quick,” said Estrada, wrestling at 119 pounds this year after winning the 103-pound class in 2001. I like to get into my matches and work a few moves, but it’s hard to do that when the guy you’re wrestling just grabs you.”

Wrestlers were in survival mode Friday, when outside temperatures soared into the 80s, creating sauna-like conditions inside the Fountain Valley gym. The thick, stuffy air was as much of an opponent as any wrestler.

The conditions took a toll on some of the favorites. Among the notable upsets were Mario Arguilles of Santa Maria Righetti losing to Eric Melgares of Dana Hills at 130 pounds, Mike O’Hara of Redlands East Valley losing to Danny Moreno of Sierra Vista at 135 pounds, and Yuri Kalika of Calvary Chapel losing to Daniel Contreras of El Modena at 160 pounds.

Temecula Valley, which had a tournament-best 12 wrestlers qualify for the Masters, had five of those advance to the quarterfinals, including favorites Jeff Bristol at 140 pounds and Jeremy Mendoza at 119 pounds.

Calvary Chapel has six wrestlers in the quarterfinals, the most of any team.

Estrada, who said his goal is to join former Calvary Chapel wrestlers Adam Bones Joey Calavitta as the only three-time Masters champions in school history, said survival is always the name of the game on the first day of the Masters.

“You just want to get through your first two matches,” Estrada said. “That’s all. Once you lose, it’s tough to come back.”

If Estrada reaches the finals, he likely will face Andrew Domingues of Righetti or Mendoza, both of whom have defeated Estrada.