TOP 10 BOYS WRESTLERS TO WATCH
Noah Blakely, Servite, Sr.: Blakely is a returning state qualifier for the Friars. He earned first-team all-county honors last year at 126 pounds.
Ryker Coppa, Marina, Sr.: Another returning state qualifier. Coppa was sixth at Masters and went 2-2 at state. He’s ranked seventh in the state at 182 pounds.
Stone Escobedo, Fountain Valley, Sr.: Escobedo is ranked fifth in the state at 182 pounds. He was fifth at Masters last year and went 3-2 at the state tournament.
Josh Kawaguchi, Sonora, Jr.: His season was cut short when he didn’t make weight at CIF, but up to that point, Kawaguchi was one of the best in the county.
Mike Marshall, San Clemente, Sr.: Last year, Marshall won three tournaments and had three second-place finishes. He continued that steady performance in the postseason, winning a South Coast League title, finishing second at CIF and fourth at Masters.
Andrew Morgan, Fountain Valley, Sr.: Morgan is one of top returners in the state. He was a CIF champion last year, placed fifth at Masters and seventh at state. He’s ranked second in the state in the preseason rankings.
Abe Ochoa, Yorba Linda, Sr.: Ochoa was the fourth-ranked heavyweight in the county before the postseason. He had an impressive end to his season, winning an Empire League title, CIF title, finished second at Masters and went 2-2 at state.
Trevor Perez, Mater Dei, Sr.: Perez won a CIF title, finished ninth at Masters to qualify for the state tournament. He went 2-2. This year, he’s ranked 10th in the state at 152 pounds.
Russell Rohlfing, Sonora, Sr.: Rohlfing placed seventh at Masters and eighth at state last year at 120 pounds. In the preseason rankings, he’s ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section and fifth in the state at 126.
WRESTLING PREVIEW 2014-15
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Wrestling preview: Important dates
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
