Wrestling: Eagles’ Warden takes long road to state semifinals

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A loss in the first round of last weekend’s CIF Southern Section Masters meet might have been the best thing to happen to Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 189-pound wrestler Taylor Warden.

He hasn’t lost since.

After winning seven straight matches in the consolation bracket to claim third place at Masters, Warden started the state tournament Friday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield with four straight victories to land in Saturday’s 189-pound championship semifinals against San Joaquin Section champion Louis Bland of Modesto Central Catholic. Warden already has victories over three section champions, including a 50-second pin against Coleman Rosenberg of San Francisco Washington.

Warden’s 12th straight victory would put him in the state finals, where he could face Southern Section champion Caleb Gerl of Downey Calvary Chapel. Gerl faces Central Coast Section champion Phil Brandt of Bullard in the semifinals.

Bland is ranked No. 1 in the state, followed by Brandt at No. 2 and Gerl at No. 3. Warden is unranked but mentioned under the heading ‘Those to Watch.’

You can be sure people are watching Warden now.

-- Chuck Schilken, guest blogger

-- Image from en.wikipedia.org.