Downey’s Jonathan Prata controls Northview’s Bobby Pinto in their 106 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Downey’s Jonathan Prata controls Northview’s Bobby Pinto in their 106 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
St. John Basco’s Antonio Lorenzo controls Esperanza’s Aaron Nagao in their 113 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
St. John Basco’s Antonio Lorenzo controls Esperanza’s Aaron Nagao in their 113 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Northview’s Eddie Flores controls Calvary Chapel’s Luciano Arroyo in their 120 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Northview’s Eddie Flores wrestles Calvary Chapel’s Luciano Arroyo in their 120 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Edison’s Elijah Palacio prays with his coach before his 132 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Jesse Vasquez takes down Edison’s Elijah Palacio in their 132 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Jesse Vasquez lifts Edison’s Elijah Palacio in their 132 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
St. John Basco’s Sonny Santiago takes down Northview’s Gabriel Cortez in their 138 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
St. John Basco’s Sonny Santiago takes down Northview’s Gabriel Cortez in their 138 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
St. John Basco’s Sonny Santiago celebrates after defeating Northview’s Gabriel Cortez in their 138 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Fountain Valley’s Max Wilner wrestles King’s Adrian Salgado in their 145 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
King’s Adrian Salgado controls Fountain Valley’s Max Wilner in their 145 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
King’s Adrian Salgado controls Fountain Valley’s Max Wilner in their 145 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
King’s Adrian Salgado celebrates after defeating Fountain Valley’s Max Wilner in their 145 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Trabuco Hill’s Trey Munoz controls Edison’s Jared Williams in their 152 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Trabuco Hill’s Trey Munoz wrestles Edison’s Jared Williams in their 152 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Trabuco Hill’s Trey Munoz controls Edison’s Jared Williams in their 152 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Edison’s Jared Williams controls Trabuco Hill’s Trey Munoz in their 152 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Righetti’s Issaya Finley pins Alta Loma’s Cole Pruitt in their 170 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Righetti’s Issaya Finley celebrates after pining Alta Loma’s Cole Pruitt in their 170 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo battles with Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio in their 182 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo controls Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio in their 182 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio controls Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo in their 182 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo controls Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio as he checks the clock in their 182 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo celebrates as he defeats Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio in their 182 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Arroyo’s Andy Voong controls Excelsior’s Jake Jakubec in their 195 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Arroyo’s Andy Voong pins Excelsior’s Jake Jakubec in their 195 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden avoids the kick of Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden drives Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel to the mat in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden drives Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel to the mat in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden leaps to avoid the shot of Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden celebrates his victory over Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden celebrates his victory over Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel in their 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Santiago’s Ray Brayden celebrates his victory over Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel with a lift from local coach JD Hawkins after his 220 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Torrance’s Tony Dacosta takes down Anaheim Canyon’s Josh Tarango in their 285 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
Torrance’s Tony Dacosta celebrates his victory over Anaheim Canyon’s Josh Tarango after their 285 Lbs. championship match of the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet wrestling tournament Saturday in Temecula, CA. February 24, 2018 (TERRY PIERSON,THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG)
TEMECULA — Santiago’s Jesse Vasquez and Huntington Beach Edison’s Elijah Palacio are familiar opponents, having wrestled one another since they were eight years old.
Vasquez routinely lost to Palacio when they were youngsters, but he has gotten the upper hand on his friend in recent years. Vasquez scored a 6-4 victory over Palacio earlier this year at the Battle for the Belt, and Vasquez added a 9-4 win Saturday night to claim the 126-pound championship at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet.
“It’s more fun than anything,” Vasquez said if it was difficult wrestling Palacio.
Vasquez jumped to a 4-1 lead during the first period after a pair of takedowns. Palacio nearly scored a reversal, but Vasquez was able to maintain control and only surrender one point on an escape. Vasquez got another takedown in the second period to go up 7-2. Palacio tried for another reversal, but Vasquez again kept his cool. Vasquez, a sophomore, got a third takedown late to win his second Master Meet title.
“The crowd made a lot of noise because of the position, but I knew I was safe and comfortable,” Vasquez said of the near reversals. “I just stayed super composed.”
Santiago finished with three Masters champions, tying Bellflower St. John Bosco for the most at this year’s meet. Joshua Kim claimed his second straight Master title, winning the 160-pound by injury default over Sultana’s Nate Vargas. Brayden Ray won the 220-pound championship, holding on for a 3-2 win over Santa Ana’s Joey Daniel.
The Daniel-Ray showdown was one of the most anticipated matches of the program, as Daniel and Ray were ranked No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, in the state by The California Wrestler.
“I went in feeling good and strong,” Ray said. “I was expecting a high-paced match, but that wasn’t the case. I knew once I got my hands on him, I could control him.”
Santiago had a fourth state qualifier, as Troy Tadros placed eighth at 106 pounds. The Sharks finished third behind Bellflower St. John Bosco and Covina Northview.
King’s Adrian Salgado was the fourth champion from the Inland area, as he captured the 145-pound title with a 3-1 victory over Fountain Valley’s Max Wilner. Salgado rebounded from an early penalty and got the winning takedown in the final minute.
“He’s a freshman and I’m a senior, so I was just thinking it’s my time right now,” said Salgado, who won his first Master title. “It feels good to be a Master champ. Now it’s time to go represent King and the Southern Section next week at state.”
Three other Inland area wrestlers finished as a runner-up in their weight classes.
Alta Loma’s Cole Pruitt made a spirited run into the 170-pound championship match, but he was pinned by Santa Maria Righetti’s Issaya Finley during the first period.
Temecula Valley’s Ryan Cosio had an opportunity to win a second Masters Meet title, but lost 8-2 to La Puente Bishop Amat’s Guillermo Escobedo in the 182-pound final.
Excelsior’s Jake Jakubec made a surprising run to the 195-pound championship match, but he was pinned midway through the second period by El Monte Arroyo’s Andy Voong.
Temecula Valley was fourth in the team standings and had the most state qualifiers by an Inland program. Joining Cosio will be Antonio Khanthasa (170, fifth), Damian Wake (195, sixth), Alex Barajas (138, seventh) and Logan Melendez (220, ninth).
Melendez was 1 of 7 wrestlers from the area who won ninth-place matches Saturday, important as the top nine advance to the state meet. Other ninth-place winners from the area were Canyon Springs’ Aaron Diaz (132), King’s Daniel Chirinos (138), Oak Hills’ Shelton Miller (152), West Valley’s Joseph Romo (160), Etiwanda’s Diego Carrillo (170) and Montclair’s Diego Sanchez (285).