San Clemente wraps up South Coast title

DANA POINT – At the start of the season, it was apparent that the winner of the South Coast League dual title would have to earn it.

That's just what San Clemente did.

The Tritons put the finishing touches on the dual title, defeating fourth-ranked Dana Hills, 39-20, Tuesday.

San Clemente, which is ranked first in the county along with Laguna Hills, finished 4-0 in league and 15-0 overall.

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At the beginning of the season, San Clemente, Laguna Hills and Dana Hills were ranked in the top five in the county. The trio stayed in that area for the majority of the season.

"I'm proud of the kids," San Clemente coach Mark Calentino said.

A key moment in the dual came at 170 pounds. With San Clemente holding a 27-16 lead, Tony Flores pulled off a 7-4 victory over Trevor Tribolet, who is ranked fourth in the county.

"I think Flores winning his match was a gigantic match," Calentino said. "Very big. ... That was the match on paper, that we had them (Dana Hills) winning. We know that Tony (Flores) can wrestle well, but that's a match that they, on paper, should have won. Tony outwrestled the kid."

Blaine Wagstaff (182) pulled the Dolphins closer at 30-20 with his major decision victory, but San Clemente's Ash Ryan (195) sealed the dual with his 7-4 victory over Ryan Minoofar.

Ryan entered the week ranked third in the county and Minoofar second.

The dual started at heavyweight.

Dana Hills jumped to a 9-0 lead. With the match tied at 12, San Clemente picked up three consecutive victories — Tim Parten at 132, John Castellini at 138 and Brian DeGennaro at 145 — to take a 24-12 lead.