Villa Park earns 'special' win over No. 1 Laguna Hills

VILLA PARK – For season openers, this one was special for the Villa Park wrestling team.

The Spartans, who began the season ranked second in the county, defeated Oak Hills and then capped the night with a 40-22 victory over top-ranked Laguna Hills at Wednesday's tri-meet.

With the match tied at 22-22 after Jason Newcomer's major decision victory at 170 for Laguna Hills, Villa Park won the final four matches to spring the upset.

"This is something that we've been working toward for four years to get to that level and contend with a program like Laguna Hills and Oak Hills," Villa Park coach Aaron Cross said. "All the kids wrestled great. We had some upsets in our favor ... it was special."

Spencer Thiessen gave Villa Park lead for the good with his 5-1 victory at 182 pounds.

Brandon Spiers followed at 192 with a 5-0 victory to give the Spartans a 28-22 lead.

Ryan Perranoski then gave the Villa Park fans a scare at 220. Perranoski was nearly pinned, but managed to avoid disaster to stick his opponent for the six points and a 34-22 lead making victory certain for the Spartans.

David Trujillo, Villa Park's returning CIF champion, ended the match with a pin at heavyweight.

"We knew Laguna Hills would be a tough match," Villa Park's Anthony Edery (160) said. "We have a solid lineup. We don't have any holes and no one gave up tonight.

Villa Park won three of the first four matches, including a pin at 126 for sophomore Gerald Arroyo for a 16-3 lead.

"We didn't know what to expect there, but he came up and got a pin," Cross said. "For us that was the first big victory.

Laguna Hills won the next three matches, two coming by fall by Andre Cabrera (138) and Miguel Ramirez (145) to take an 18-16 lead.

Villa Park retook the lead, 22-18, thanks to decision victories by Matt Brislawn (152) and Edery (160).

Villa Park also defeated Oak Hills, 49-20. Laguna Hills was also victorious against Oak Hills, winning 44-25.

Last season, Oak Hills defeated both Villa Park and Laguna Hills.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com