WRESTLING TEAMS TO WATCH

SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION I

Ventura--Three state qualifiers have graduated, including state champion Cristobal Gonzalez. But Ventura remains a Southern California power. Seniors Trevor Clocherty (135 pounds), Mark Martinez (215) and Josh Kellum (125) are defending Channel League champions. Senior Pat Locke (130) qualified for the section finals. Junior David Askay (171) was a junior varsity league champion last season. Junior David Lopez (145) was injured most of last season.

DIVISION II

Thousand Oaks--The Lancers, 7-0 in league dual meets last season, are favored to repeat as champions in a competitive Marmonte League, despite the departure of Camarillo and Channel Islands. Seniors Wes Cobos (145) and Larry Schneider (152) are returning league champions. Cobos placed sixth in the section finals, Schneider second. Senior Chris Jansen (heavyweight) was 17-0 on the junior varsity. Junior Jason Park (135), up from the junior varsity, placed second last week at the Newbury Park tournament. Junior Mark Schmitt (112) is a varsity returnee.

Simi Valley--The Pioneers lack a dominant wrestler, but the lineup is solid. Seniors Ryan Scott (135), Jarrod Garnand (215), Jon James (160) and John Lecky (145), who placed third in the league last season, enter their third varsity seasons. Sophomore Robert Gayton (103), a transfer from Apple Valley, twice defeated Olivia Ocampo of Channel Islands, preventing her from becoming the first girl to advance to the Masters tournament. Gayton and junior Tyson Hadduck (189) placed first at Newbury Park last week. Senior Albert Carnahan (119) is a varsity returnee.

Newbury Park--Triplets Michael (125), David (130) and Jerard (140) Brem return as the Panthers’ nucleus. Michael came within one match of advancing to Masters. Jerard placed second in the league. Senior Steve Bowen (130) placed second in league. Sophomore Justin Patterson (160) was a junior varsity league champion.

Royal--The Highlanders have six returning varsity wrestlers. Senior Shannan Sams (152) placed second in the league and first last week at Newbury Park. Senior William Little (171) placed second at Newbury Park and junior Jason Shliekleman (130), a two-time junior varsity champion, placed second. Junior Chris Ruekert (160) placed second in the league. Senior Paul Duke (145) and James Betancourt (135) are returning starters.

DIVISION IV

Hueneme--The Vikings, second to Ventura last season in the Channel League, are the favorites in the fledgling Pacific View League and an emerging power. Senior Tiloi Tuitama (189), entering his fourth varsity season, placed first in league and was 3-2 in the state meet. Senior Oscar Carbajal (119), league champion at 112, narrowly missed qualifying for Masters. Seniors Enrique Franco (171) and Tavilli Pollard (189) both placed third in the league and enter their fourth varsity seasons. Senior George Tapia (heavyweight) sat out last season after qualifying for the section finals as a sophomore. Junior Raul Ayala (103) advanced to the section finals last season.

Rio Mesa--Several varsity wrestlers return, including sophomore Caleb Bautista (112), 31-12 last season. Bautista is a nephew of Jesse Bautista, a state qualifier for Rio Mesa in 1995. Senior Freddy White (160), and juniors Carlos Anaya (130) and Scott Speakman (135) also return. Sophomore Matt Morales (103) moves up from the junior varsity. The Rio Mesa tournament, Dec. 18-19, will include six out-of-state teams, including entries from Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada and Oregon. Local entries include Ventura, Hueneme, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.

Highland--The Bulldogs, six-time defending Golden League champions, will be challenged this season but remain the team to beat. Senior John Garfinkel (145), fifth at Masters and a state qualifier last season, has 170 victories is his career and is 8-0 in his fourth varsity season. Senior Robert Estrada (152) placed second at the section. Senior Adam Cloud (189) is a returning league champion. Sophomore Mike Estrada (103) and junior Josh Sanders (119) placed second in the league. Junior Nick Petros (140) placed fourth in the league after joining the varsity at midseason.

Palmdale--Senior Devon Zemp (140) was 43-4 and Golden League champion last season before being upset in the section finals. Senior Ernesto Monje (119), a transfer from El Camino Real, enters his fourth varsity season. Sophomore Richard Holguin (103), a returning starter, placed first last week at the Ayala tournament. Senior Joshua Miller (171) was 38-8 last season. Senior Eugene Arcaro (heavyweight) sat out last season after competing at 189 as a sophomore.

Littlerock--Senior heavyweight Ben Smith, the Golden League lineman of the year, placed fourth in the section last season and is among six returning lettermen. Junior Lewis Haller (119) was 33-3 last season but failed to make weight at the league finals. Senior Brandon Cauley (130) is a two-time league runner-up. Junior Oscar Mejia (103) is a returning starter. Sophomore Rolando Canedo (140) competed part-time on varsity last season.

Camarillo--The Scorpions, Marmonte League champions in 1994, ’95 and ‘96, add to a competitive Pacific View League. But only two starters return--junior Mike Martinez (135) and sophomore Hank Robles (103). Robles placed second in the league last season, Martinez fourth. Junior Isaac Medina (140) joined the varsity as a freshman but was injured most of last season. Sophomore Ralph Garcia (171) was among the junior varsity’s best last season. Junior heavyweight Mike Kohr, a transfer from Rio Mesa, moves up from the junior varsity.

CITY SECTION

El Camino Real--The two-time defending champion Conquistadores placed first at Newbury Park last week and remain formidable. Senior Anthony Thomas (171) won a City title and one match at the state finals. Senior Eugene Korchmarev (160) was 18-9 and City champion. Junior Moshe Levi (135) was 34-6 and a City finalist. Junior Jamar Cargo (189) was 26-2 last season, mostly in junior varsity bouts. Junior Edward Lemus (119), 28-10 and a City finalist, placed first last week at Newbury Park. Senior Sal Flores (152) placed third in the City. Five junior varsity champions move up. The Conquistadores wrestle at Ventura on Jan. 19 in a battle of Southern and City powers.

San Fernando--The Tigers, second in the City last season, are the only team capable of upsetting El Camino Real. Senior Ricky Aguirre (112) is a two-time City champion at 103. Twins Andy (130) and Eddie (135) Moro enter their fourth varsity seasons. Andy is a three-time City champion, Eddie a two-time champion. Junior Anthony Rico (145) placed fourth in the City last season. Junior Noe Ramirez (189) and senior David Ortiz (215) are returning starters. Senior Adrian Orozco (140) competed at 119 last season.

Others--Senior Andres Ojeda of Chatsworth (160) placed second in the City last season. . . Senior Raymon Munoz of Canoga Park was City champion at 140. . . . Junior Joshua Roepke of Granada Hills placed third in the City at 160.