(Whittier, CA) Individual titles by Adam Valdez (149 lbs.) and Cristian Ayala (hwt), 11 state qualifiers and a third place team finish, highlighted the CCCAA Southern California Regional Championships for the Mounties. The event held at Rio Hondo College, on Saturday (12/1), was the final step before the state championships which will be held next Friday and Saturday, at Cerritos College.
Mt. SAC (116 pts.), finished behind first-place Palomar (152) and second-place Cerritos (131), but was the only college of the 11 entrants to place a wrestler in each of the 10 weight classes. The first six placers qualify for state in each weight class.
"I'm happy with the teams overall results," Mt. SAC Coach David Rivera replied. "Everyone wrestled tough and put it on the line."
Valdez (ranked No. 1 in the state), finished third in last years' So Cal's, had a bye in the first two rounds, then went on to win both his quarterfinal and semifinal matches by falls.
No. 1-ranked Ayala also received byes in the first two rounds and won his quarterfinal match, 7-4, over Patrick Slatic of West Hills.
He followed that up with a fall in the semifinals at 1:20 of the first period over Diego Sanchez of Rio Hondo and his championship match was a close, 6-2, decision over Bakersfield's Jacob Hall.
"Adam and Cristian did a great job this weekend," said Rivera of his two champions. "I'm very proud of their performance. They have been consistent all year."
Other Mt. SAC state qualifiers: (Weight class, name, place)
- 125 Lbs. – Zachary Cunningham, True 6th
- 133 Lbs. – Ethan Diaz, 4th
- 141 Lbs. – Aaron Diaz, 3rd
- 157 Lbs. – Miguel Gallardo, 2nd
- 165 Lbs. – Ian Vasquez, 4th
- 174 Lbs. – Colby Huynh, 6th
- 184 Lbs. – Luis Melecio, 4th
- 197 Lbs. – Luis Garcia, 6th
- HWT - Christopher Alvizures, 6th
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.