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Area wrestlers take home individuals titles but Mayfair still rules the Suburban League

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

  • Rosa says:

    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 “