Stories from the past

40 years ago

Indio High School scored 138 team points Friday evening to snare the Desert Valleys League Wrestling Finals title on mats in the Calexico High School gym.

The Rajahs notched enough high finishes to beat off a bid by dual-meet champion Brawley. The Wildcats were able to score 131 1/2 points in 13 individual weight classes.

The top placers in the DVL Finals qualify for the SCIF Preliminaries. The league will send three grapplers, a fourth scheduled as a possible alternate in each class.

One special individual award was presented by the DVL coaches. Francisco Lara of the Indio Rajahs was given a trophy as the DVL’s Outstanding Wrestler of 1979.

Mario Sanchez of Calexico beat Carlos Meza of Coachella, 6-3, for the 98-pound crown. Third place was captured by Nicky Martinez of Brawley.

The 106-pound title went to Roy Tagaban of Brawley as he defeated Calexico’s Joe Nava on an 8-7 decision. Tyler Salcedo of Holtville placed third.

30 years ago

CALEXICO — More than 250 persons joined United Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Rufino Contreras, a young farm worker who was killed during the 1979 Imperial Valley lettuce strike.

The day’s event included an outdoor Mass in memory of Contreras’ death, a brief speech by Chavez, and a visit to Mountain View Cemetery, where Contreras is buried.