Starting on Thursday at Mechanic’s Bank Arena in Bakersfield, the 52nd CIF boys wrestling state tournament and 14th CIF girls wrestling state tournament will convene to determine the best teams and individual wrestlers in the Golden State.
Here’s what to watch for:
A tussle for the boys’ title
Last weekend’s Masters Meets did nothing to bring clarity to the season-long debate over which boys team will win the state championship.
Poway, last year’s record-setting state champion, dominated in the San Diego Section. The Titans won 12 of the 14 brackets and qualified all 14 for State. They are looking strong indeed.
Buchanan, the state champion the seven years prior to being dethroned by Poway, again edged powerful Clovis for Central Section supremacy. The Bears qualified all 14 for State and had nine wrestlers place first or second. That does not include Leo Contino, who was third last year at 157 pounds and the Doc B champion in January at that weight. He was upset by Chris Creason of El Diamante in the semifinals.
Gilroy won the Central Coast Section title for the 22nd straight year. The Mustangs won 10 of the 14 brackets, finished second in two others, and qualified all 14 for the state meet. Moreover, Daniel Cormier’s squad has six wrestlers that will clearly be in the mix to win state titles.
St. John Bosco impressed at the Southern Section Masters Meet. Braves wrestlers finished first or second in every bracket but two and qualified a full roster for Bakersfield.
Clovis had six Central Section champions (to only four for Buchanan) and two others took second. Of the consensus top five, the Cougars have the longest odds to win it all, with only Nikade Zinkin at 144 being a clear favorite to win an individual title and only 12 at State. But Coach Gabe Schaefer said that his team is peaking at the right time and could land 4-5 in the finals, so you never know.
So, who will win? Gilroy was awfully impressive last weekend and has the most high-end talent. But Poway also put on a show and the Titans feel like they have the deepest roster. The loss of heavyweight Nicholas Sahakian, a 2023 state champion, will weigh heavily on Bosco, which might have been the favorite with him piling up points.
All of that being said, you can never count out Buchanan. Coach Troy Tirapelle gets the most out of his Bears at winning time.
The margins should be razor thin, but I see Poway repeating, with Buchanan, Gilroy, Bosco, and Clovis, in that order, all in the mix.
Which team succeeds Walnut?
Walnut won the girls’ championship last year, riding state titles from Anaya Falcon at 105 pounds and Deandra Meza at 110. Falcon has since graduated and Meza is wrestling for a school in Arizona. The Mustangs finished 15th in the Southern Section Master’s, suggesting that they are not a threat to defend their title.
What team will fill that void?
Poway and Gilroy also are strong on the girls’ side and should make noise. Clovis East is a small squad but has three who could win individually. That was Walnut’s formula last year. Pitman is like Clovis East and could find a path.
Then there are the top two finishers in the Southern Section, Corona and Northview. Corona has had the best season and has won practically everything, but both teams will send eight to State and Northview’s eight feel a tad stronger.
Give me Northview over Pitman, with Poway, Corona, Gilroy, and Clovis East battling for third.
Past champions and their weight classifications
Here are the eight boys and six girls former state champions seeking to add another to their resume this weekend:
BOYS
Henry Aslikyan, Birmingham – won 106 in 2024; competing at 113 this year
Elijah Cortez, Gilroy – won 126 in 2023; competing at 138 this year
Isaiah Cortez, Gilroy – won 120 in 2023; competing at 126 this year
Angelo Posada, Poway – won 175 in 2024; competing at 215 this year
Ronnie Ramirez, Walnut – won 113 in 2023 AND 120 in 2024; competing at 126 this year
Daniel Zepeda, Gilroy – won 132 in 203 and 138 in 2024; competing at 150 this year
Nikade Zinkin, Clovis – won at 126 in 2024; competing at 144 this year
Rocklin Zinkin, Buchanan – won 113 in 2024; competing at 120 this year
Ramirez and Zepeda are two-time champions. They will be seeking to join 23 other three-time champions in boys wrestling history in California. Miguel Estrada of Frontier of Bakersfield fell short in his quest last year.
GIRLS
Baya Austin, Pitman – won 130 in 2024; competing at 140 this year
Isabella Marie Gonzales, Clovis East – won 115 pounds in 2023 and 2024; competing at 120 this year
Delarie Juarez, Northview – won 145 in 2024 while attending Brawley; competing at 145 again this year
Leilani Lemus, Clovis -- won 160 in 2023 and 170 in 2024; competing at 170 again this year
Juliana Marquez, Gabrielino – won 190 in 2024; competing at 190 again this year
Jillian Wells, Lakeside – won 100 in 2024 while attending Central Catholic; competing at 100 again this year
Gonzales and Lemus are seeking to join only three girls ever to be three-time champions. Both are undefeated on the season. Falcon became the third three-time champion last year and finished her high school career unbeaten.
Undefeated wrestlers and their weight classifications
By our count, there are 11 wrestlers still unbeaten in California. They are:
BOYS
41-0 – Daniel Zepeda, Sr. -- Gilroy wrestling at 150
35-0 – Paul Ruiz, Fr., Buchanan – wrestling at 115
34-0 – Angelo Posada, Sr., Poway – wrestling at 215
33-0 – Coby Merrill, Jr., J.W. North – wrestling at 285
33-0 – Sammy Sanchez, Fr., Esperanza – wrestling at 106
GIRLS
39-0 – Samantha Sachs, Sr., Glendora – wrestling at 130
36-0 – Cookie Serratos, Fr., Santa Ana – wrestling at 100
34-0 – Isabella Marie Gonzales, Sr., Clovis East – wrestling at 120
29-0 – Mary Snider, Jr., Rancho Bernardo – wrestling at 140
27-0 – Christina Estrada, Soph., Buchanan – wrestling at 100
26-0 – Leilani Lemus, Jr., Clovis – wrestling at 170
This number was reduced this week when three previously undefeated girls all lost in Master’s Meet finals. Roxanne Raab, a senior at Clairemont, lost to Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza in the San Diego Section at 135 pounds. Dulcy Martinez, a sophomore at Central Catholic, fell to Cynthia Meza of Calaveras in a Sac-Joaquin Section final, also at 135 pounds. And Noelia Sedano, a senior at Justin Garza, lost to Olivia Ruacho of Central of Fresno in the Central Section final at 235 pounds.
Brotherly love?
Don’t be surprised to see brothers doing special things in Bakersfield this year.
Isaiah and Elijah Cortez of Gilroy both won titles in 2023 and lost in the semifinals a year ago. They are peaking at the right time and could be primed to reprise their title runs.
Other brothers to watch include Matthew and Hunter Luna of Saint Francis of Mountain View, and the Sultana trio of Rocky, Jackson, and Cael Humphrey.
Sister sister?
Don’t forget about the girls. They are represented by Angelica and Alicia Serratos of Santa Ana, Sophia Marie Gonzales and Isabella Marie Gonzales of Clovis East, Isabella and Ava Fodera of Poway, Alethia and Charis Tolentino of Coastal Academy and Baya Austin, Annebella Austin, and Gabryella Austin of Pitman.
A little of each?
Not to be outdone, Travis and Tamara Grace of Gilroy and Brokton and Angelina Borelli of Los Banos will try to make noise on both sides of the aisle.
The same cannot be said for Dominic and Anna Bozanic. Dominic will be there wrestling for Gilroy. But Anna, who finished third as a sophomore last year at 235 wrestling for Liberty of Winchester, will miss out after tearing an ACL in June at the California USA Wrestling Freestyle State Championships.
Will Corning wear a crown?
Corning's girls are dominant in the Northern Section. Can they make noise at the state level this weekend?
It’s not likely, but shout out to the girls wrestling team at Corning High. Since the Northern Section broke away from the Sac-Joaquin three years ago, Corning is the only team to win the girls Div. 1 and Master’s championships conducted by the section. For the sake of perspective, the Corning boys have won four Masters titles in 45 seasons.
“Corning Girls are quietly building a dynasty in Northern Cali but no one really knows,” said Josh Jackson, one of two coaches recently recognized for excellence.
Corning is sending three to State and looking for a top-50 team finish.
Favorites and wrestlers to watch
BOYS
106 pounds
Favorite: Sammy Sanchez, Fr., Esperanza – undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country.
Others to watch: Anthony Garza, Soph., Clovis; Nathaniel Granados, Sr., Merced; Jorge Rios, Fr., St. John Bosco
113 pounds
Favorite: Henry Aslikyan, Jr., Birmingham – 2024 champion at 106 pounds
Others to watch: Paul Ruiz, Fr., Buchanan; Hunter Jauregui, Jr., Fountain Valley; Zack Samano, Soph., Chino
Ruiz really is a co-favorite, as he beat Aslikyan in a tiebreaker to win Doc B and is undefeated on the season.
120 pounds
Favorite: Rocklin Zinkin, Jr., Buchanan – 2024 champion at 113 pounds; has just one loss on the year.
Others to watch: Edwin Sierra, Sr., Poway; Sean Willcox, Jr., St. John Bosco; Paulo Valdez, Sr., Hesperia
Zinkin edged Sierra in an Ultimate Tiebreaker for the state title at 113 a year ago.
126 pounds
Favorite: Ronnie Ramirez, Sr., Walnut – two-time reigning state champion with just one loss this year
Others to watch: Isaiah Cortez, Sr., Gilroy; Antonio Rodriguez, Jr., Los Gatos; Nathan Carillo, Jr., St. John Bosco; Slater Hicks, Soph., Valencia; Robert Jones, Sr., Poway; Siraj Sidhu, Jr., Del Oro
Cortez just beat Rodriguez and, as a 2023 state champion, is a major threat. But, truly, this weight classification is LOADED, the deepest by far. The champion will have earned his medal.
132 pounds
Favorite: Ashton Besmer, Jr., Buchanan – Doc B champion has had a breakout year.
Others to watch: Moses Mendoza, Jr., Buchanan; Christopher Arreola, Fr., Esperanza; Billy Townson, Sr., Poway
Probably a two-man race between Besmer and Mendoza, who have beaten one another this year; with Arreola coming on quickly
138 pounds
Favorite: Elijah Cortez, Sr., Gilroy – Peaking and has a championship pedigree.
Others to watch: Jesse Grajeda, Soph., St. John Bosco; Leo Maestas, Sr., Clovis North
Grajeda made the state final at 132 last year and beat Cortez, 3-2, in a state semifinal last year.
144 pounds
Favorite: Nikade Zinkin, Sr., Clovis – returning state champion and 4-0 this year versus two-time state runner-up Joe Toscano
Others to watch: Joe Toscano, Jr., Buchanan; Arseni Kikiniou, Soph., Poway; Victor-Alexander Gutierrez, Jr., Central Catholic
It would be a surprise if anyone made the final besides Zinkin and Toscano.
150 pounds
Favorite: Daniel Zepeda, Sr., Gilroy – Undefeated and a two-time state champion; ranked No. 1 nationally.
Others to watch: Matthew Luna, Sr., Saint Francis (Mountain View); Tristan Fernandez, Bonita
Should be a coronation for Zepeda.
157 pounds
Favorite: Leo Contino, Sr., Buchanan – Third last year at this weight and with a chip on the shoulder after a shocking semifinal Masters loss
Others to watch: Beau Priest, Sr., Bakersfield; Christopher Creason, Jr., El Diamante
The winner almost certainly will come from the Central Section.
165 pounds
Favorite: Mario Carini, Soph., Poway – Third at 144 as a freshman; made finals at Doc B
Others to watch: Joseph Antonio, Sr., St, John Bosco; Slava Shahbazyan, Jr., Birmingham; Travis Grace, Jr., Gilroy
It would be no surprise to see Antonio, who was second at this weight a year ago; take home the title his senior year.
175 pounds
Favorite: Tyler Eise, Sr., Gilroy – Colorado large-class state champion last year looks hard to beat.
Others to watch: Dylan Pile, Sr., Los Gatos; Mason Ontiveros, Jr., Pitman
Eise hasn’t wrestled much but hasn’t lost, either.
190 pounds
Favorite: Brokton Borelli, Sr., Los Banos – State runner-up at 190 last year
Others to watch: Levi Bussey, Sr., Granite Bay; Jonathan Rocha, Jr., Clovis North
Borelli beat Bussey last weekend, but if they make the final bout, as expected, it could go either way.
215 pounds
Favorite: Angelo Posada, Sr., Poway – State champion last year at 175; undefeated this year against all comers
Others to watch: Khale McDonnell, Sr., Fountain Valley; Wes Burford, Jr., Oakdale; Kaydee Cartee, Sr., Mayfair
Posada has dominated matches versus the next highest-ranked wrestlers. Would be a shocker if he did not win.
285 pounds
Favorite: Coby Merrill, Jr., J.W. North – Undefeated, No. 1 nationally, and prohibitive favorite to succeed his brother as state’s best heavyweight
Others to watch: Mark Marin, Sr., Clovis
Only injuries to both knees kept Merrill from being a state champion last year.
GIRLS
100 pounds
Favorite: Jillian Wells, Sr., Lakeside – New (old) school but still defending state champion.
Others to watch: Cookie Serratos, Fr., Santa Ana; Christina Estrada, Soph., Buchanan; Lily Dizon, Soph., Pitman; Destiny Huitron, Sr., Arroyo; Eva Bhattacharya, Soph., Saint Francis (Mountain View)
Serratos and Estrada remain unbeaten on the year; something has to give.
105 pounds
Favorite: Jazmine Turner, Sr., Grace Davis – Almost took down Falcon in state semis last year.
Others to watch: Avy Perez, Sr., Birmingham; Ava Fodera, Jr., Poway
Perez, fifth at 110 a year ago, has moved down a weight class; could make for an amazing final.
110 pounds
Favorite: Sophia Marie Gonzales, Fr., Clovis East – If she wins as a freshman, she will have accomplished something her older sister could not do
Others to watch: Aubree Gutierrez, Fr., Marina
Gutierrez just won at Southern Section Masters.
115 pounds
Favorite: Kaiya Maggini, Jr., Del Oro – State runner-up at 110 pounds last year
Others to watch: Epenesa Elison, Fr., Los Altos (Hacienda Heights); Angelina Borelli, Jr., Los Banos
Elison is No. 1 nationally at 115 pounds and may merit a slight edge here.
120 pounds
Favorite: Isabella Marie Gonzales, Sr., Clovis East – Two-time state champion; one loss over her four-year career
Others to watch: Kylee Golz, Sr., Trabuco Hills
Golz, state runner at 115 last year, moved up a weight class to take on Gonzales again while others scattered.
125 pounds
Favorite: Lilyana Balderas, Jr., Anaheim – Placed third at 125 a year ago.
Others to watch: Me’Kala James, Jr., Central (Fresno); Shayna Ward, Sr., Oakland Tech; Zahra Stewart, Jr., Orange Vista
Probably the second deepest bracket after 140, Ward was expected to wrestle 130 but dropped down, making this a juggernaut classification with a tough top four.
130 pounds
Favorite: Samantha Sachs, Sr., Glendora – Sachs thought she had a state title last year but got shocked; has wrestled with vengeance on her mind all year
Others to watch: Ruby Julien-Newsom, Sr., Torrey Pines
Julien-Newsom had been hot this month and could give Sachs a run.
135 pounds
Favorite: Dulcy Martinez, Soph., Central Catholic – Undefeated before losing last weekend at Masters; will be motivated.
Others to watch: Lauren Zaragoza, Sr., Brawley; Roxanne Raab, Sr., Clairemont; Tamara Grace, Jr., Gilroy; Cynthia Meza, Sr., Calaveras; Tuongvi Le, Sr., Milpitas
Upsets across the board at Masters Meets makes this anyone’s game.
140 pounds
Favorite: Mary Snider, Jr., Rancho Bernardo – Undefeated and hungry, but the competition is stiff
Others to watch: Baya Austin, Jr., Pitman; Jaelyn Unpingco, Jr., Clovis East; Adeliada Fernandez, Jr., Birmingham; Lucia Ledezma, Jr., Granite Hills (El Cajon)
Austin is a returning state champion at 130 pounds; Unpingco has been consistently good; Fernandez has dropped down in weight after finishing fifth at 145; Ledezma was fifth at 140. Any could win.
145 pounds
Favorite: Delarie Juarez, Sr., Northview – 2024 state champion at 145
Others to watch: Olivia Davis, Sr., Esperanza; Jestinah Solomua; Soph., Corona
If Corona wants to make a state title run, Solomua will have to win here, but the seniors Juarez and Davis, state runner-up at 140 last year; may have the final word.
155 pounds
Favorite: Angelinah De Leon, Sr., Santa Clara – State runner last year at 155
Others to watch: Alexandria Perez, Sr., La Costa Canyon; Angelina Jiang, Sr., Gunn; Symone Jewell, Soph., Northgate; Eva Garcia, Soph. Marina
With De Leon losing to Jiang last weekend, this bracket is officially wide open.
170 pounds
Favorite: Leilani Lemus, Jr., Clovis – Undefeated this year and a two-time champion
Others to watch: Kayleen Tuavao, Sr., Tokay
Tuavao has had a great year, but no one beats a healthy Lemus
190 pounds
Favorite: Juliana Marquez, Sr., Gabrielino – Defending state champ at this weight
Others to watch: Evelyn Vargas, Sr., Merced; Bri Alvarado, Jr., Highland; Golda Demby, Sr., Hollister
Marquez pinned her way to the title last year, with Vargas third, Alvarado fourth and Demby fifth.
235 pounds
Favorite: Katherine Luna, Jr., Downey – Won at Southern Section Masters
Others to watch: Ashley Wafer, Jr., Lakewood; Noe Sedano, Sr., Justin Garza; Jasmin Taulanga, Sr., Corona
Sedano was undefeated before losing last weekend to Olivia Ruacho from Central of Fresno, 6-0. This could go any number of ways.
***
As I wrote last year, at the end of the day, talk is cheap. It’s time for action! Let’s take it to the mat and see who will write their own headlines!
Blazing blades
In this section, we list wrestlers recording pins this season in 12 or fewer seconds.
6 seconds
Andres Lambarena, Sr., Granite Hills (Apple Valley), 285 (Nov. 16)
7 seconds
Hunter Mathiesen, Soph., Rio Americano, 132 (Dec. 7)
8 seconds
Rory Bickmore, Sr., Arcata, 157 (Jan. 10)
Mauricio Escobedo, Soph., Granite Hills (Apple Valley), 132 (Jan. 10)
Margaret Pryor, Fr., Patrick Henry, 100 (Dec. 18)
9 seconds
Heaven Charleston, Fr., Inderkum, 155 (Feb. 15)
Coby Merrill, Jr., J.W. North, 285 (Feb. 14)
Crystal Perez, Soph., Willow Glen, 190 (Dec. 7)
10 seconds
Leonardo Battulga, Sr., South Torrance, 285 (Feb. 6)
Michael Poindexter, Jr., Granite Hills (Apple Valley), 150 (Nov. 20)
11 seconds
Rory Bickmore, Sr., Arcata, 157 (Dec. 7)
Avy Perez, Sr., Birmingham, 105 (Feb. 15)
Roxanne Raab, Sr., Clairemont, 135 (Feb. 8)
Gabriel Tinajero, Sr., Ganesha, 215 (Jan. 15)
12 seconds
Luke Hansen, Jr., Campolindo, 285 (Feb. 5)
Emily Keltgen, Jr., Rio Americano, 110 (Dec. 22)
Naun Mendez, Fr., Firebaugh, 150 (Dec. 28)
100 % COMMITTED!
In this section, we identify those wrestling high school this year who have made commitments to wrestle in college.
Sonny Acuna, Sr., Northview, 197 – Cal Baptist
Eli Almarinez, Sr., Vacaville, 125 -- Vanguard
Joseph Antonio, Sr., St. John Bosco, 165 -- Army
Henry Aslikyan, Jr., Birmingham, 125 -- Michigan
Curtis Bartley, Sr., Del Norte (Crescent City), 149/157 – Northern Idaho
Ashton Besmer, Jr., Buchanan, 133 -- Army
Ben Bomberger, Sr., Poway, 184/197 – Cal Poly SLO
Brokton Borelli, Sr., Los Banos, 197 -- Maryland
Levi Bussey, Sr., Granite Bay, 197 – Cal Poly SLO
Nathan Carillo, Jr., St. John Bosco, 125/133 – Oregon State
Primo Catalano, Sr., Chaminade, 197 – Army
Bailey Cathey, Sr., Galt, 131 – Minot State
Leo Contino, Sr., Buchanan, 165/174 – West Virginia
Elijah Cortez, Sr., Gilroy, 141/149 -- Cornell
Isaiah Cortez, Sr., Gilroy, 133/141 -- Cornell
Christopher Creason, Jr., El Diamante, 165 -- Army
Olivia Davis, Sr., Monte Vista (Danville), 145 – William Jewell
Justice El-Sayad, Sr., Temecula Valley, 285 – Cal Poly SLO
Jacob Estrada, Sr., Monache, 133/141 – University of Providence (Montana)
Ryan Espiritu, Sr., Vacaville, 149 – Colorado School of Mines
Christian Garcia, Sr., Walnut, 125/133 – Cal Poly SLO
James Gensaw, Jr., Sr. -- Del Norte (Crescent City), 142/133 – Cal Poly Humboldt
Mackenzie Gilbert, Sr., Modesto, 103 – Waldorf
Isabella Marie Gonzales , Sr., Clovis East, 117/124 – Iowa
Travis Grace, Jr., Gilroy, 174 – Oregon State
Victor Alexander Gutierrez, Jr., Central Catholic – Cal Baptist
Christian Herrera, Sr., Bakersfield, 157 -- Wyoming
Chris Huerta, Jr., Buchanan, 141 -- Princeton
Ajalynn Jimenez-Panoke, Sr., Hillcrest, 109 -- William-Jewell College
Robert Jones, Sr., Poway, 125 – Cal Poly SLO
Isaac Judson, Sr., Albany, 149 – Williams College
Kaiya Lopes, Sr., Rancho Bernardo, 103 – Minot State
Jeff Lopez, Sr., Clovis, 141 – Oregon State
Leo Maestas, Sr., Clovis West, 133 – American University
Alex Maday, Sr., Whitney, 138 – Lindenwood University
Khale McDonnell, Sr., Fountain Valley, 285 – Oregon State
Moses Mendoza, Jr., Gilroy, 133 -- Michigan
Mason Ontiveros, Jr., Pitman, 184 -- Oklahoma
Vince Partington, Sr., Cypress, 144 -- Vanguard
Dylan Pile, Sr., Los Gatos, 174 -- Stanford
Angelo Posada, Sr., Poway, 197/285 -- Stanford
Beau Priest, Sr., Bakersfield, 157/165 – Oregon State
Braden Priest, Sr., Bakersfield, 149 – North Carolina
Ronnie Ramirez, Sr., Walnut, 133 – Oklahoma State
Adrien Reyes, Sr., Clovis, 184 – Oregon State
Jonathan Rocha, Jr. Clovis North, 184 -- Purdue
Samantha Sachs, Sr., Glendora, 131 – Iowa
Nicholas Sahakian, Sr., St. John Bosco, 285 -- Michigan
Jaelynn Serna, Sr., Apple Valley, 110 – Missouri Valley College
Siraj Sidhu, Jr., Del Oro (Loomis), 133 -- Stanford
Edwin Sierra, Sr., Poway, 125/133 -- Stanford
Aiden Simmons, Sr., Bakersfield, 141 – Cal Poly SLO
Joseph Toscano, Jr., Gilroy, 157 -- Cornell
Billy Townson, Sr., Poway, 133 -- Rutgers
Carter Vannest, Jr., Pitman, 197 -- Oklahoma
Evelyn Vargas, Sr., Merced, 180/207 – Dickinson State
Blake Woodward, Jr., Buchanan, 149 – Oregon State
Daniel Zepeda, Sr., Gilroy, 149 – North Carolina State
Nikade Zinkin, Sr., Clovis, 149/157 -- Nebraska
Rocklin Zinkin, Jr., Buchanan, 125/133 – Oklahoma State