Wrestling: Russell wins CIF title
CHINO HILLS - Corona del Mar High senior Steven Russell captured
the CIF Southern Section Division III title in the heavyweight division
after sweeping through the competition at Ayala High Saturday.
Russell and CdM senior Stephen Shipman (215 pounds), who finished
fifth, qualified for the Masters Tournament, which starts Friday at
Fountain Valley.
“I’m overjoyed,” CdM Coach Gary Almquist said. “I think I did a 360 in
the air. I about jumped out of the gym. Everyone was just so excited.”
Russell, who won a PCL individual title Feb. 2, collected wins by pin,
major decision and pin before advancing to the final where he won 8-6
over Diamond Bar’s heavyweight wrestler.
“I think that’s our first CIF champion since 1976,” Almquist said of
Russell, who now has a 30-5 record. “We finished 18th in the team division competition. That’s a big deal for us.”
Shipman, who also won a PCL individual title Feb. 2, subdued his
opponent to a pin in the fifth-place match, improving his record to 34-14
with 21 pins.
Estancia junior Victor Carmona (125), also a PCL champion, finished
sixth at the individual tournament. The top five qualified for the
Masters.
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