By Brian Reed-Baiotto
Artesia, John Glenn and Norwalk each had two individuals win wrestling championships in last Friday’s Suburban League finals at John Glenn High School. But it was Mayfair, the three-time league team champs, who stole the show with seven individual title holders.
The Monsoons and the rest of the league qualifiers will compete today and Saturday at the CIF-SS Northern Division Individuals at Santa Maria High School. The top five placers at each of the 14 weight classes this weekend will advance to the CIF-SS Masters Meet at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario on Feb. 27-28.
Mayfair head coach Ibee Atalla took over a fledgling program three years ago that was headed nowhere. But Atalla’s three tours and 14 earned medals from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps instilled an instant discipline that has translated into three consecutive league championships in his three years at Mayfair.
Jose Alvarez (106 pounds), Marco Rodriguez (132), Jacob Alcobendas (145), Justin Pichedwatana (152), Seth Atilano (160), Andrew Ortiz (182) and 195-pound Ryan Tilton all won titles for the Monsoons.
“It’s all about our wrestlers,” Atalla said. “These kids were focused and determined. Hard work pays as well as the sacrifice these kids made. This group of wrestlers wants to win and are focused on state.”
Norwalk lower weights Oscar Valdez (113) and Ryan Sainz (120) earned championships for Lancers coach Frank Soto. Glenn’s Joey Hieber (170) and 220-pound Angel Barajas earned titles for Eagles coach Monico Enriquez. Barajas, in fact, was named the upper-weight Most Valuable Wrestler.
Artesia saw 126-pound Cristian Rodriguez and heavyweight Enoka Sautia earn championships and La Mirada’s Manuel Romero not only won the 138-pound championship, he earned the lower-weight Most Valuable Wrestler as well.
In other area action, Gahr saw nine wrestlers advance to the CIF-SS Southern Division individuals at Marina High School on Friday, including 182-pound champion Troy Orozco, who won his second consecutive title. Gabriel Patterson (113), Eric Rhodes (145) and Thomas Johnson (160) were all runners up for the Gladiators.
Also making the cut for head coach Mark Schulist, were Messiah Owens (106), Joe Lian (195), Michael Partida (220) and heavyweight Matt Gonzalez, who all finished third.
Gahr went 11-3 this season and finished third in the San Gabriel Valley League behind Downey and Warren. It also won the ABC District Championship with Artesia and Cerritos for the seventh consecutive year.Dante Cannavina (126) and Austan Wooldridge (138) placed fourth at league finals and are CIF-SS Southern Division alternates.
Gahr female wrestler, Ophelia Lara, won the 152-pound CIF girls title over the weekend and Schulist feels she’s got a shot at a state title.
Each of the three greater Long Beach area league team champions (Millikan, Mayfair and Downey) won seven individual champions apiece. A complete list of all three league champions are below.
SUBURBAN LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:
106- Jose Alvarez, Mayfair
113- Oscar Valdez, Norwalk
120- Ryan Sainz, Norwalk
126- Cristian Rodriguez, Artesia
132- Marco Rodriguez, Mayfair
138- Manuel Romero, La Mirada
145 Jacob Alcobendas, Mayfair
152 Justin Pichedwatana, Mayfair
160 Seth Atilano, Mayfair
170- Joey Hieber, John Glenn
182 Andrew Ortiz, Mayfair
195 Ryan Tilton, Mayfair
220- Angel Barajas, John Glenn
285- Enoka Sautia, Artesia
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:
106: Jonathan Prata, Downey
113: Mark Lopez, Downey
120: Adrian Duarte, Warren
126: Carlos Rivas, Downey
132: Armando Padilla, Downey
138: Gregory Lopez, Downey
145: Pablo Ochoa, Downey
152: Daniel Aguirre, Paramount
160: Julian Gutierrez, Warren
170: Gabriel Rodriguez, Warren
182: Troy Orozco Gahr
195: Angel Luevanos, Warren
220: Noe Sandoval, Paramount
285: Angel Baez, Downey
MOORE LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS:
106: Matt Saldana, Millikan
113: Royal Moy, Lakewood
120: Christian Robledo, Millikan
126: Enrique Luna, Poly
132: Donaven Roahas, Lakewood
138: Amalque Acuna, Millikan
145: Erick Osorio, Millikan
152: Kahlid Tamu, Lakewood
160: Zain Ali, Millikan
170: Alex Michel, Lakewood
182: Carlos Ramos, Millikan
195: Andrew Lane, Millikan
220: Issiah Bean, Lakewood
285: David Zavala, Lakewood
Coach Ibee is not only is a good coach,he’s a good mentor to all the boys he’s coached.i had the pleasure of being part of the monsoons for the past four years I can say he gives his all to these boys and our boys have proven how good of a coach he is by placing league champs ” 3 peat “