I’m really looking forward to the state wrestling meet that begins Friday. I wish it were close enough that I could sleep in my own bed, but it is a great event.

Our online director, Louis Amestoy, is a former sports writer, who has a greater affinity for cross country, track and football than he does for wrestling. But even he says it is the greatest state championship, better than state track. If you haven’t seen it, it’s quite an event at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield when, for the finals, they have a raised platform for the mat and thousands of eyes are focused on two wrestlers at a time. Also impressive is the earlier rounds, when there are 10 mats going on at once. The feeling is electric.

Check back on my blog for periodic updates on how Inland Valley and San Bernardino County-area wrestlers are doing on Friday and Saturday. I’ll try and bring you round-by-round updates.

Time will tell whether the best chances for a state title: San Dimas Angel Garcia (125) for the Inland Valley, and Sultana’s Cody Bollinger (140) and Yucca Valley’s Vinny Maraj (152) will get to the finals. Stay tuned …