Saints Recover After a Slow Start

Santa Ana Coach Scott Glabb was a little worried while watching his wrestlers compete in the first round of the state high school wrestling finals Friday at the University of Pacific’s Spanos Center.

“They all seemed a little flat . . . a little sloppy,” Glabb said after the first round. “Maybe because it was so early. Eight [a.m.] is a little early to start wrestling. Anyway, it was a little scary watching. I was thinking, ‘It’s going to be a long day.’ ”

However, the Saints got over their early-morning blahs, got it together for the second and third rounds and stand in second place after the first of two days of wrestling.

Santa Ana, with 43.5 points, has two semifinalists and four still remaining in consolation brackets. First-place Poway (47.5) also has six still wrestling, including two in the semifinals.

Jose Najera (112 pounds) and Jose Leon (119) each advanced to the semifinals for the Saints. Gilbert Melendez (125), Juan Serna (135), Steve Avalos (145) and Alex Becerra (189) are in consolation rounds.

“I would have liked to have gotten four in the semis, but I’m happy,” Glabb said. “But we have to wrestle like crazy if we’re going to have a shot at the title.”

Brethren Christian, in fourth place with 37 points, had three advance to the semifinals: Mike Simpson (119), Joe Garcia (125) and Steve Garcia (130). However, the Warriors have no one in the consolation bracket.

Defending state champion Calvary Chapel, in 12th place with 26 points, has five still competing, but only one in the semifinals.

Adam Benitez was a surprise for the Eagles. Benitez, a junior, defeated Brian Oak of Elk Grove, 9-5, in the third round at 135 pounds.

“He [Benitez] had a big win in the second round when he won 6-5,” Eagle Coach John Azevedo said. “But this year it’s going to be a race. There’s no clear winner. Santa Ana looks pretty good. But you just can’t tell when it’s so close.”

Other Eagles competing today are Adam Bones (125), Josh Johnson (130), Andy Tufnell (152) and Mike Porter (160).

Orlando Galvan, a sophomore 103-pounder from Loara who was a Masters and Division IV champion, lost in the quarterfinals. After leading 7-5 going into the third period against David Lopez of El Cajon Valhalla, Galvan was called for stalling twice and fell into a tie. Lopez got an escape and two takedowns in the last minute of the match to win, 12-7. Galvan continues to wrestle today in the fourth consolation round.

Other county wrestlers who will compete today in the consolation bracket are Jordan Bollenbacher (112) of Loara, Victor Ha (119) of Laguna Hills, Tony Aparicio (135) of Loara, Joshua Jerrett (160) of El Toro, Grant Entsminger (171) of Dana Hills and Daniel Melendez (189) of Santiago.

Notes

With little fanfare, history was made Friday when junior Tina Nguyen of Oakland High became the first girl to wrestle in the state finals. Nguyen, who had a record of 2-10, was the only wrestler in the Oakland Section in the 103-pound class. She lost both her matches by fall Friday.