El Dorado's Chavez starts strong at Five Counties
The first day is filled with victories by Calvary Chapel and Laguna Hills wrestlers.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY - El Dorado senior Charles Chavez already had experienced the highs and lows of wrestling in the Five Counties Invitational.
As a freshman, he placed fifth at 103 pounds in 2007 and sixth as a sophomore in 2008. He failed to medal last season, but he started this year's tournament at Fountain Valley High on Friday with a bang.
"I'm wrestling with nothing to lose," he said. "This is my senior year. I'm going out there to have fun and just wrestle."
After a first-round bye, Chavez pinned his first opponent, Nigel Villalobos of Santa Fe at 5:26 of the match. He made quicker work of his next challenge, Kevin Burrage of Del Oro of Loomis. Chavez pinned Burrage at 1:24.
Chavez, seeded seventh, will wrestle second-seeded Frank Martinez of Northview of Covina on Saturday at 9 a.m. when the tournament continues.
"It helps that I have already been through this tournament before," Chavez said. "I have already been a part of the elite group of wrestlers who have placed in this tournament. It humbled me that I didn't place last year; now I'm wrestling with no pressure and no worries."
Morgan McIntosh, who won the 171-pound title last year, opened with a pair of victories by pin at 189 pounds. McIntosh, ranked No. 1 in the state, will wrestle Jessen Cole of Chico in the quarterfinals.
McIntosh's Calvary Chapel teammates Gavin McDonald (103), Dean O'Bourke (112), Tank Knowles (215) and Michael Manighalam (285) are also in the quarterfinals in their weight class.
Laguna Hills has the second-highest number of quarterfinalists among county schools with three: Frankie Arounvong (112), Juan Jaime (125) and Bobby Morales (130). Arounvong advanced after defeating third-seeded Vince Moita of De La Salle of Concord.
Andrew Mestas (El Modena, 103), Sammy Cano (Santa Ana, 112), Richard Vargas (Santa Ana, 119), Walker Slaughter (Irvine, 140), Aaron Lopez (Edison, 152), Justin Levalle (Servite, 171), Scott Sire (171), Preston Quam (San Clemente, 189) and Wyatt Baker (Servite, 285) are also in the championship quarterfinals.
Quam pinned his first three opponents and faces Chace Eskram of Carlsbad in the quarterfinals. There are 22 county wrestlers in the consolation bracket.
