To go or not to go, that is always the big question when the CIF-SS Dual Meet Wrestling Championships arrive.
Recently, teams have been given the choice to stay home or attend. This year, teams such as Fountain Valley and Marina, the top two teams in the Sunset League, have decided to stay home and begin their preparations for the CIF-SS Individual championships, which will be held Feb.21-22.
The Sunset League held its league finals Thursday.
The South Coast League held its league finals Feb.1. With an extended break before the CIF-SS Individual championships, San Clemente coach Mark Calentino said he is happy to have the extra competition.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Calentino said. “This week, we had everybody in the room and they were focused. I enjoy the extension of the season.”
The Tritons finished second in the South Coast League, posting a 15-2 dual record.
For all of their accomplishments, the Tritons didn’t receive one of the top four seeds in Division 1.
“I’m perplexed at who makes the bracket,” Calentino said. “We’re not seeded at all. I would like to have coaches from Division 1 seed Division 3 … have coaches seed another division.”
San Clemente opens Saturday against Pioneer Valley of Santa Maria, the PAC7 champion. In the second round, the Tritons could possibly meet M.L. King of Riverside, the No.4 seed.
“I think we should have been seeded,” Calentino said, “ … but we will go wherever they send us.”
South Coast League champion Laguna Hills is the No.3 seed and has a first-round bye in Division 1, which will be held at Centennial of Corona.
Servite is the second seed in Division 2 and will have a first-round bye at South Hills of Covina. No.3 seed Santa Ana opens against Covina, and Sonora faces Redlands East Valley in the first round.
Calvary Chapel is seeded second in Division 3 at Victor Valley of Victorville.
Yorba Linda, the defending champion in Division 5, is the division’s top seed and will have a first-round bye at Irvine. The Mustangs face either Magnolia or Beckman in the second round. Irvine is the No.3 seed.
Trabuco Hills is the No.2 seed in Division 6 at Redondo Union of Redondo Beach.
In the last five years, three county teams – Laguna Hills (2010), Santa Ana (2010), Yorba Linda (2013) – won dual titles.
First-round matches begin at 11a.m. The finals begin at 7:15p.m.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
