Laguna Hills too much for Servite
ANAHEIM – No.2 Laguna Hills got pins in five of 14 weight classes in a 44-21 victory over No.3 Servite on Friday at Servite High.
The annual match between the two powerhouses was latest installment of the dinner duel, in which spectators dine on catered meals at tables around the mat as the wrestlers square off. Each school hosts the event every other year
The Hawks won the first five matches Friday with Miguel Ramirez, ranked No.2 in the county, starting the night off by pinning Colin Reyes in 2:31.
After a pin from the Hawks' Jason Newcomer, who moved up to 170, Laguna Hills led 22-0.
Johnny Beltran then got Servite on the board with a pin over Rudy Ramirez in the 182-pound match.
In the 285-pound match, Servite's Brendon Johnson, ranked No.2, scored on an escape in the second period and hung on the rest of the match for a 1-0 victory over Joaquin Alejo. Johnson's victory got Servite to within 11.
But then the Hawks built the lead back up to 17 on a pin from Martin Garcia (106).
In the 113 match, Servite's Kyle Anderson led 3-2 over Nick Stavrou after two periods.
Anderson then held off several shots from Stavrou and scored a takedown in the final seconds to win, 5-2.
Dominick Gambino's 5-0 victory over Josh Yolles in the 120-pound match got Servite to within 11.
Servite would have needed pins in the final two matches to come away victorious.
But instead, the Hawks' Alex Zhukov (126) and Andre Cabrera (132) came away with pins to secure the victory.
"Every time your wrestle Servite, you know it is going to be tough," Hawks coach Cliff Jarmie said.
