ANAHEIM – The journey toward the CIF State Tournament got off to a positive start for the Servite wrestling team.
The Friars had a wrestler finish in the top three of each of the 14 weight divisions at the Trinity League Finals on Friday. By placing in the top three, wrestlers advance to the CIF-SS Inland Division Individual Championships on Feb. 20-21 at Temecula Valley High.
Of the 14 wrestlers for Servite, eight were league champions: Matt Rodriguez (115), AJ Silva (122), Noah Blakley (128), Wolfgang Bernal (134), JJ Reed (147), Riley Paterson (162), Kyle Paterson (222) and heavyweight VJ Leuta.
“That was a good day,” Servite coach Alan Clinton said. “I thought we wrestled extremely well. Everybody came out and performed and did what they were supposed to do and we have everybody (going next week). If we can keep doing that all the way through, that will be a good year.”
Liam Cronin (108), Troy Madrigal (140), Angel Cordova (154), Michael Vasquez (184) and Parker Saltzman (197) all finished second. Gordon Livermore (172) was third.
Clinton knows he will need contributions from everyone next weekend if the Friars are to repeat as CIF champions.
“Our whole philosophy is, ‘what do you have to do to get to the next week?’” he said. “Not everybody is going to be champion (at CIF). Everybody has to be in the top 5. So, what do you have to do in your weight class to be in the top five to get to Masters? The team stuff will take care of itself. That’s our philosophy and it has paid off for me for a long time.”
St. John Bosco will be in the race for the team title next weekend. The Braves qualified 12, including champions Cade Olivas (108), Matt Williams (154), Anthony Valencia (172), Zahid Valencia (184) and Danny Salas (197).
Mater Dei had nine qualifiers, including champion Trevor Perez (140). Orange Lutheran qualified four and Santa Margarita had three.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
