SOUTHERN SECTION 3-A WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS : Savanna Runs Away With Division

While Savanna’s Brad Belanger intensely prepared for his 130-pound final in the Southern Section Division 3-A wrestling championships, teammate Tony Okada appeared to be napping.

Belanger sat on a mat practicing his moves and focusing his concentration. Okada prepared for his 135-pound title match by reclining on a mat with his head propped up against the bleachers.

But both produced individual titles for Savanna, as Belanger defeated Mark Cody of Anaheim, 6-2, and Okada beat Javier Fernandez, also of Anaheim, with a 20-5 technical fall.

Savanna, the county’s top-ranked Division 3-A team, won the team title nearly as easily as Okada won his division. Okada pinned all three of his opponents to advance to the finals and help Savanna run away with first place with 164 points. Bell Gardens finished a distant second with 120.

“This is the best team I’ve ever had at Savanna,” Coach Tom Caspari said.

Okada improved to 44-1 this season, and the Olympic hopeful in judo explained his apparent sleepiness before the match this way:

“I’ve had so many tournaments, wrestling and judo,” Okada said, “that this was just another one. I just try to get ready right before I go out.

Said Belanger: “Before a match I try to get tunnel vision because I know I can only win on technique and by outthinking them.”

Savanna qualified seven of its 11 wrestlers for the Masters meet next weekend; Valencia qualified five.