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.”

Shipman, 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.