King of the mats

Steve Virgen

There’s strength in numbers.

Corona del Mar High’s wrestling team gave credence to that

statement when it won the Newport-Mesa District championships by

defeating Newport Harbor, Estancia and Costa Mesa Thursday at CdM.

Coach Gary Almquist said he has 41 athletes in the Sea King

wrestling program and that winning has been key for the growth.

“That’s the best news ever,” said Almquist, who created the

district championships, which is in its second year.

Costa Mesa won the four-way meet last year, but the Mustangs had

just three wrestlers Thursday. Silvio Estrada, wrestling in the

145-pound division, came away with Mesa’s only individual

championship.

There were nine wrestlers who won titles for CdM: Taylor Alston

(145-pound division), Matt Loeb (130), Brian Feeley (135), John Dean

(140), Ian Hogan (152), Ryan Shores (160), Dane Robie (189), Dave

Simon (215) and Robbie Richey (heavyweight).

Simon had the quickest pin of the night, gaining the win over

Estancia’s Landon Pulizzi in 14 seconds.

Victor George (103), Kid Lim (119) and Eddie Charcas (125) won

championships for Newport Harbor, which went 2-1.

CdM defeated Costa Mesa, 72-12, then downed Estancia, 69-11, and

in the finale the Sea Kings recorded a 50-18 victory over the

Sailors.

“Newport beat us in the first year,” Almquist said. “We’re 1-1

now, so next year will be the rubber match.”

Though they lost to CdM, the Sailors came away pleased. Newport

Harbor’s Josh Hughes earned a technical fall victory, 25-9, over

Estancia’s Danny Alderete to lead the Sailors to a dramatic win over

the Eagles.

Hughes’ victory, which produced five team points, tied the score

at 38. But since Newport had the only technical fall of the match,

the Sailors won. The winner could have been decided by number of wins

and most pins, but the teams remained tied, so Hughes’ victory proved

even more important.