TITANS WRAP UP 40TH SECTION MAT CROWN

Even with the clash of seasons, Poway High collected yet another section championship in boys wrestling.

The Titans had finalists in all but one of the 14 weight classes and cruised to the 40th section crown in program history at the CIF Division II championships held Saturday at San Pasqual High. Poway totaled 328 points to outclass Granite Hills (172.5) and Mt. Carmel (108.5) in the team scoring.

“This was the first week our guys had Folkstyle practice,” said Poway coach John Meyers, whose wrestlers have garnered three section titles in his three years as head coach. “Spring is our offseason for Greco-roman and Freestyle wrestling, so we have been traveling a lot around the country.”

Poway had nine individual section champions, including senior Andre Gonzales at 132 pounds. Gonzales won a state title last year at 106 pounds, but he will not have the opportunity to repeat as a state champion as the masters and state tournaments have been canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a little rough this year,” said Gonzales, who showed little effect from recent knee surgery with his pin of Mt. Carmel's Blake Lopez at 3:04 of their final-round bout. “This was only my second tournament this year, and I only had six matches, but it's been good.

“I've been a Poway wrestler since the third grade, and I have been blessed with a great coaching staff. It has been a humbling experience, but now I am excited to continue my wrestling career.”

Gonzales will wrestle in the Big Ten Conference for Ohio State University next season.

Among the other Poway champions on Saturday were defending masters champions Johnny Lopez (138) and Nolan Tolentino (145). Lopez won a 10-2 major decision over Justin Carroll of Granite Hills, and Tolentino also scored a major decision with his 18-4 win over Ricardo Castillo of Bonita Vista.

Poway's remaining first-place finishes were provided by Gavin Navida (106), Dominic De'altonaga (113), Anthony Ching (152), Gabriel Taylor (170), Conner Haugk (220) and Jamikel Lytle (285).

The runner-up finish by Granite Hills was highlighted by Collin Guffey's 6-2 decision over Poway's Paul Kelly at 120 pounds.

One of the more emotional wins of the Division II tournament came at 160 pounds, where Vista's Antonio Navarro earned a hardfought 7-4 upset decision over Poway's Gavin Kaminski.

“He beat me earlier in the year, so I have really been looking forward to getting another chance against him,” Navarro said.

Another bout where every point was important came at 195 pounds, where Hoover's Garavous Kouekabakilaho outlasted Braden Pease of Poway for a 4-2 decision.

The other non-poway individual champions were Joel Lopez of Bonita Vista at 126 and Michael Esquer of Olympian at 182.

Division IV

After back-to-back championships, Imperial gave up its crown to Holtville and it wasn't close as Holtville scored 216.5 and Imperial 151.5. Mater Dei Catholic, last year's eighth-place finisher, finished third.

Staff writer John Maffei contributed to this report.