Cypress' Yoo remains perfect, wins Classic
HUNTINGTON BEACH – Paul Yoo of Cypress continued his perfect start to the wrestling season Thursday at the Mann Holiday Classic.
Yoo wrapped up his fourth consecutive tournament this season when he defeated Anthony Ballinger of Apple Valley by fall in the first period of their finals match of the two-day tournament at Marina High.
"He's just an overall better wrestler right now," Cypress coach Jon Lundberg said. "He's looking good."
Yoo (182 pounds) also won the El Dorado Invitational, Edison Beach Bash and Ed Spring Classic this season.
He has qualified for the last two state tournaments. He placed sixth last year at 189 pounds and the five wrestlers ahead of him have all graduated, including Morgan McIntosh of Calvary Chapel and Preston Quam of San Clemente.
"Now, I'm glad I had the chance to wrestle them," Yoo said.
The experience has paid dividends for Yoo, ranked No. 1 in the county and the Southern Section and No. 2 in the state.
Yoo won his first three matches Friday by fall. He started Saturday with a 9-5 victory over Mason Kumashiro of Los Alamitos and a 10-1 major decision victory over Jon Wixom of Chaparral of Temecula in the semifinals.
Laguna Hills finished second with 205.5 points. Wyond Mills (145) and Jason Newcomer (160) were champions of their respective weights. The Hawks led all county teams with six medalists.
Servite was fourth with 156.5 points. The Friars had five medalists, including Upper Weight MVP Nick McKinney (220).
McKinney defeated Marina's Tyler Smith, 3-1, in the finals. He won five of six matches by fall.
The match was scoreless after the first period. McKinney chose the down position to start the second and scored an escape.
Later, after fighting off a takedown attempt, McKinney scored the only takedown of the match for a 3-0 lead and eventual victory.
Smith entered the week ranked No. 1 in the county at 220, with McKinney ranked second.
"I learned from the first match, that if I let him get a takedown, he will win," McKinney said. "So I had to keep my stance low and hands down low. I knew that if I could get a takedown, I would win."
Luis Ortiz of Magnolia (113), Colin Navickas of Marina (152), Micah Macias of Sonora (170) and Elder Cruz of La Habra (195) also won titles.
Centennial of Corona finished first with 263 points and nine medalists. Gio Castillo (120) was the Lower Weight MVP, winning all six of his matches by fall.
Three-time state champion Alex Cisneros of Selma defeated Andrew Schulte of Centennial, 8-2, in the finals at 138.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
