PLACENTIA – Steve Lawson got the best of his older brother, Scott, on Wednesday night in the Crestview League wrestling dual finale.
Thanks to consecutive victories in the final three matches of the night, Steve Lawson coached 10th-ranked El Dorado to a 35-29 home victory over Scott’s team, No. 6 Villa Park.
With the victory, El Dorado earned a share of the Crestview League title with Villa Park and Yorba Linda.
“It used to be kind of fun and exciting,” Steve Lawson said about coaching against his brother. “Now, I would be lying if I said there’s not any stress.
“Unfortunately for him, he’s never beat us, and he’s my big brother. I don’t want to let him win, but I feel bad for him too. … It’s no fun.”
The dual started at 160 pounds. There were eight lead changes through the first 10 matches. Austin Ladner gave the Spartans a 29-22 lead at 134 pounds.
“We had some guys wrestle really well, and some guys wrestle not so well,” Scott Lawson said. “We’ll take the co-league championship and try and regroup and make a run at CIF.
“It was entertaining, but it is disappointing to lose because I think it was a winnable match.”
After Ladner’s victory, El Dorado made its comeback in the final three matches. Vincent Dehakiz won by decision at 140, followed Steven Castillo’s victory by fall at 147 and Joan Toledo sealed the match with victory by major decision in the final match of the night.
“Everything is all matchups,” Steve Lawson said. “We see kids all year round in club and traveling-wise and we always know who is going to win 10-11 of the matches. That very last one (Toledo) was a toss-up.”
Toledo held a 6-0 lead after the second period.
“Before I started, I knew I was going to be the last one (match),” Toledo said. “I got more excited. I wanted to do it for my teammates. I wanted to fight for them and not let them down.
“We had to stay focused and not let our guards down.”
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
