CHEERS

Santa Fe Christian (left) among girls water polo champs, quarterfinal competition in basketball and soccer, and Poway dominates in wrestling.

As it has been ever since the masters meet was created, it was painted in green.

Poway started fast, winning the first seven championship matches to claim yet another San Diego Section masters team title.

The Titans piled up 396.5 points to outdistance the field Saturday in the second day of competition at El Centro Southwest High.

“We had a good weekend,” Poway coach John Meyers said. “Every time I leave a tournament, I’m not 100 percent satisfied. We have more work to do.

“I liked what I saw. We fought from whistle to whistle and that’s what we strive for.

“Our first seven matches were outstanding and even the one close match at 145 pounds was a matchup of monsters.”

Rancho Bernardo was in second place with 229 points.

The top four wrestlers in all 14 weight classes advance to this weekend’s state championships in Bakersfield.

Poway placed 13 of its 14 wrestlers in the finals and came away with 10 champions and 14 state qualifiers.

Rancho Bernardo was next with four wrestlers in the finals.

Andre Gonzales, the section’s top-ranked wrestler at 106 pounds, won despite suffering a nosebleed in the opening seconds of the match.

Just 25 seconds after action resumed, Gonzales pinned Naythan Galbiso of Imperial.

After Brock Bobzien had an easy 16-0 victory at 113 pounds, Johnny Lopez, who missed out on last year’s section divisional finals as well as the masters meet, won at 120.

Lopez raced to a 9-0 lead, gave up a takedown and a near fall to close the gap to 9-5 before notching a takedown of his own in the final period for the 11-5 win.

“I lost my spot late last season to a teammate, so I watched the CIF and the masters and the state finals,” Lopez said. “That bothered me the entire offseason. It kind of gave me a chip on my shoulder the whole year.

“I learned a valuable lesson about finishing things out.”

Jason Miranda won by pin in 3:33 at 126, Noah Tolentino improved to 26-5 with a 12-3 win at 132, Zane Stoddard is now 31-6 after a 14-0 win at 138 and Aaron Gandara edged Rancho Bernardo’s Jaden Le 3-1 at 145 pounds.

“I’d never faced him before,” Gandara said. “I’d spent most of the season at 152 before dropping down a weight class.

“I figured this match would be low scoring but close. I feel like I’m ready for state.”

Gandara, who committed to Campbell University, was fourth at last year’s state championships at 152.

Rancho Bernardo’s Tyler Badgett stopped the run of Poway winners by claiming the crown at 152.

At 195, Shane Hansen of Oceanside had the crowd chanting his name at the end.

By then, though, he had survived three lead changes to claim a 7-6 win over Laith Gilmore of Poway.

The win was his second consecutive masters championship at 195.

“I had a couple of moments of doubt during the match,” said Hansen. “I’m not from a wrestling school at Oceanside, so it’s great to leave a legacy for future wrestlers.”