It takes a team or two in order to have a successful run at the CIF-SS Dual Meet wrestling championships.
That’s the plan for San Clemente coach Mark Calentino.
“I like to bring two full teams,” Calentino said. “You can weigh-in 28 guys and you get guys some experience of wrestling in a CIF event and give them a feeling that they’re part of it, so next year, it will not be something that’s above them.”
Wrestling begins Saturday at the six locations at 11 a.m. San Clemente is in Division 1, which will take place at Los Alamitos High.
The Tritons, who won the South Coast League dual title, will face El Modena, an at-large team from the Century League, in the first round.
San Clemente is the fourth seed, but in the midseason poll, the Tritons were the third seed.
“One of the criteria is dual meet results,” Calentino said. “We defeated Los Alamitos, La Costa Canyon, Laguna Hills and went 14-0 … that shows a strong dual meet team.”
Santiago of Corona is the top seed (11-1) and Temecula Valley (5-0) is the second seed. Centennial of Corona, which was No. 1 in the midseason poll is the third seed.
Regardless of where they’re seeded, the goal for Saturday is simple for Calentino.
“We want to wrestle as well and get as deep in the tournament as we can,” Calentino said. “We will have an entire varsity lineup.”
This year, Valencia enters as an at-large team from the Empire League. The Tigers will open against Orange League champion Magnolia in the first round in the Division 5 bracket at John Glenn High in Norwalk.
Yorba Linda, the Empire League champion, has a first-round bye.
Magnolia and Irvine are seeded second and third, respectively.
Buena Park, Servite, Santa Ana and Troy are competing in the Division 2 bracket at South Hills High in West Covina. The Saints are the third seed.
Defending champion Northview of Covina has a first-round bye. Last season, Northview defeated St. John Bosco of Bellflower in the finals. Another collision is likely, with the Braves seeded second.
In Division 6, Trabuco Hills, the Sea View League champion, is the third seed. The Mustangs went 10-0 in duals and open against Banning.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
