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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

NORWALK – Phillip Zamora was all business at the Tournament of Champions this week.

The senior from Laguna Hills entered the tournament as the second seed and was dominant throughout the two days, culminating with a 10-0 major-decision victory in the 145-pound final against Nick Rino of Piedra Vista (Ariz.) on Wednesday at Cerritos College.

The tournament started Tuesday.

Zamora also had two victories by fall and two others by major decision to get to the finals.

“The key was scoring early,” Zamora said. “I’ve been working on my takedowns and making sure I’m at my best on my feet.”

His early approach worked in the finals as Zamora scored a takedown and reversal for a 4-0 lead. He kept the pressure on his opponent throughout the match.

“I’ve gotten a lot better on my feet,” Zamora said. “Especially on top, I’m cradling, and I’m working on dominating people.”

Zamora helped Laguna Hills to the best finish among county teams with 149 points, good for third place overall.

“We’re still all over the place. We have some guys dropping (in weight),” he said. “So as soon as that comes down, I think we’ll be a lot stronger.”

Trabuco Hills was sixth, but had the most individual medalists among county teams (six).

Poway finished first in the team standings with 318 points and 13 medalists. Oak Hills (153) was second.

Jacob Gunter (Esperanza, 113), Ethyn Ewing (Canyon, 138) and Mater Dei’s Jed Smith (182) were the other county individual champions.

Gunter won four of his five matches by fall, including a fall in 4:32 over Cameron Santiago of Poway in the finals.

Smith had two victories by fall, two by technical fall and a major decision.

Ewing defeated Wes Rayburn of Piedra Vista (Ariz.), 7-2, in the finals.

Esperanza had three finalists, with Ethan Gould (106) and Jonathan Sutherland (heavyweight) eventually finishing second. The Aztecs ended the tournament in 10th place.

Marina’s Peter McCoy was a finalist at 160 pounds.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com