Lim, Estrada finish fifth in tournament

Steve Virgen

Silvio Estrada and Newport Harbor High senior Kid Lim finished fifth

in their respective weight classes at the Estancia wrestling

tournament, but that’s about the only similar aspect between them as

they have vastly different tales.

Estrada, a senior who competed in the 145-pound division,

transferred from Costa Mesa last week. At the tournament, he wrestled

unattached, as an individual, he said, and plans to transfer to

Westminster.

Lee Romo resigned as head coach of the Costa Mesa wrestling team

Tuesday, yet Estrada had been planning to transfer because he saw the

program deteriorating. There are only seven wrestlers in the entire

program at Costa Mesa.

Romo resigned mainly because of the lack of participation, Costa

Mesa boys athletic director Dave Perkins said.

“I’m not going to stay,” Estrada said. “Wrestling is my sport. I

have to go.”

Estrada, who finished second in the 135-pound division in the

Golden West League last year, said he moved into the Westminster area

recently so the transfer could go through. He expressed

disappointment for what happened at Costa Mesa, yet he seemed intent

on improving his situation. That started with his performance at the

Estancia tournament.

Estrada pinned Alex Brandt of La Sierra with 12 seconds left in

the second period to earn a fifth-place medal. After a scoreless

first period, Estrada gained one point on an escape and then scored

two on a takedown with one minute left. He then worked to collect the

pin.

In a third-place semifinal match, Estrada lost to Peninsula’s

Skylar Wilkinson, 6-4.

“I have to condition better,” Estrada said. “I have to study my

guys more.”

Lim also realized some areas of improvement he needed while

competing in the 119-pound division. His day started with promise --

a 3-0 lead in a championship semifinal match against Josh Pacheco of

Santa Ana. But Pacheco rallied back, scoring five straight points, on

an escape, then a takedown and a two-point near-fall to end the first

period.

Pacheco scored an escape to open the second period and then he

attacked Lim to score a takedown and subsequently broke down Lim for

the pin.

Pacheco went on to win the championship, his first tournament

title of the season, by defeating Peninsula’s Chris Minniti, 4-3, in

one of the more exciting matches of the day. Lim lost his third-place

semifinal match, when he was pinned in the second period by Guy Davis

of Trabuco Hills.

However, Lim won a fifth-place medal because he defeated Drew

Murat of Royal High from Simi Valley, 8-3. Lim scored a

major-decision victory over Murat Friday, but Murat was a bit more

ready for Lim. Still, Lim scored four points in the third period, on

a reversal and a takedown, to secure the victory.

“I was pretty confident I could beat [Murat],” said Lim, whose

ultimate goal this season is to qualify for the state meet. “With

everyone’s help I think I can do it.”