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Damian Calhoun. Sports Newsroom Assistant.

// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 24, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Servite’s wrestling team will try to claim a second consecutive CIF-SS Dual title Saturday.

The Friars are the top seed in the Coastal Division meet at Marina.

League champions are the only teams guaranteed a spot in the 16-team brackets. Second-place finishers have to apply for an at-large berth.

That was the situation Servite was in last year, and it wound up winning its first CIF title.

Some league champions chose not to participate today, and will use the break to get ready for the remaining postseason events.

“I don’t think you’re getting where you need to be by not competing,” Clinton said. “Some might say the opposite, but I always like to keep the same philosophy and having kids stick with their same regiment throughout the week.

Servite will compete next week in the Trinity League Finals.

“It is like in football, some coaches don’t like that (CIF) playoff game the day after Thanksgiving, because it gets the kids off of their routine,” Clinton said. “I like to keep the consistency for the kids and to keep that competitive edge.”

The Friars have a first-round bye today and will probably be on the mats around 1 p.m. All first-round matches begin at 11 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students (with school identification) and children (ages 5-13).

CIF-SS rules allow schools to weigh in as many as 28 wrestlers, which is two full teams. Clinton said Servite will likely weigh in 18 as it tries to duplicate last year’s run.

“We’re coming to battle,” Clinton said. “We like to compete. You have to go in focused with a good attitude.”

A potential semifinal match looms in the bottom half of the bracket between Santa Ana and St. John Bosco. If all goes to form, the winner will face Servite in the final.

“That could go either way,” Clinton said of the potential clash.

GIRLS WRESTLING

Girls wrestling begins CIF qualifying today at four regional divisions.

The Southern Division, which includes all of the Orange County leagues, takes place at Tustin. The competition begins at 10 a.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students (with school identification) and children (ages 5-13).

The top eight wrestlers at each weight class at each location advances to the CIF Individual Championships on Feb. 12-13.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com