Kochiev Is Second at Nationals

Vlad Kochiev of Van Nuys finished second at 130 pounds with a 7-2 record at the USA Wrestling Greco-Roman national championships in Fargo, N.D. Kochiev had three pins and two technical falls en route to the finals, where he was pinned in the second round by A.J. Lavender of Illinois.

Medalists included Dean Kinports of El Cajon (third at 135), Arturo Basulto of Arroyo Grande (fourth at 275), David Navarette of Temecula (sixth at 105 pounds) and Glenn Rhees of Atascadero (seventh at 140). California had one champion, Brandon Zoeteway of Concord at 105, and a runner-up, Brett Slone of Vacaville at 189.

Also winning medals were: Brett Land of Bakersfield (fourth at 112); Billy Exline of Turlock (eighth at 119); Ben Shapiro of San Leandro (eighth at 152); Tyler Bernacci of Merced (fifth at 160), and Jake Varner of Bakersfield (sixth at 160).

Seann Harlingten of Rancho Mirage and James Lee of Indio were among golfers who won first-round matches in the U.S. Junior Amateur at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md.

Harlingten defeated Jonathan Khan of Tucson, 5 and 3, and Lee beat Juan Candela of Colombia, 2 and 1.

The second and third rounds will be played today.

Five Southland golfers joined favorites Michelle Wie of Honolulu and Paula Creamer of Pleasanton, Calif., as match-play winners in the U.S. Girls’ Amateur at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn.

Amie Cochran of Torrance, Jane Park of Oak Valley, Esther Choe of La Quinta and Marina Choi of Los Angeles advanced with one-sided victories. Grace Woo of Burbank won, 2 and 1, over Kim Shin of Shoreline, Wash. The second and third rounds are today.