Between the Inland Valley and Sun area, there is one state finalist, at the CIF State Wrestling Championships at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena. San Dimas’ Angel Garcia, ranked No. 3 at 125 pounds won his semifinal match on Saturday morning, defeating Steven Fitzgerald of Clovis East in the semifinals, 5-1. He will wrestle top-ranked Kody Klaus of Vacaville in the finals tonight.

Amazingly, the run for Redlands East Valley freshman Chris Mecate continues Mecate won his first match in consolation on Saturday, beating Temecula Valley’s Eric Reyes 3-1 to secure a spot in the top eight. Reyes had defeated Mecate in the quarterfinals at the CIF-SS Masters Meet last week, a meet that Reyes won. Entering this year, only 14 wrestlers in 35 years of the state finals have placed 4 years. Mecate is placing as a freshman, which is a start. Stay tuned to see where he places.

San Bernardino County’s lone semifinalist, Hesperia’s Eric Lopez (135) lost to second-ranked Kyle West of Oak Ridge 14-6, and will have to battle back to get third.

Each of Lopez’s three teammates who made it to Bakersfield made it to Day 2. Daniel Gudino (125) clinched a spot in the medal round as did Danny Reyes (189), but Andrew Collins (130) lost his first match Saturday and was eliminated.

Ryan Fillingame (119) of rival Sultana, advanced to the final eight.

Others who advanced to Saturday:

Bonita senior David Stupplebean (145), lost his first match of the day and was eliminated, one match from becoming his school’s first ever state placer.

Ontario’s Oscar Navarette (215) advanced and will be his school’s first state placer since 2000