CIF State Wrestling Finals

Hello all from beautiful downtown Bakersfield. I can report that through three rounds, area competitors are enjoying a solid day, with 15 of the 22 who qualified for the state meet still alive for a state title.
They are:
La Habra's Aaron Le Farge (103); Northview's Steven Salinas (112), Frank Martinez (130), Jesse Cruz (145) and Robert Alcantar (215); South Hills' Thomas Williams (119); Bishop Amat's Andrew Ortega (125) and Julian Silva (215); San Dimas' Angel Garcia (125); Rosemead's Adrian Marquez (130); Bonita's David Stupplebean (145): Santa Fe's Marcus Orona (119) and Daniel Couts (145); California's Matt Melendrez (145) and Schurr's Julian. Zuniga (215).
UPDATE (4:35 p.m.) So far, six have advanced to tonight's quarterfinals: Northivew's Steven Salinas at 112; South Hills' Thomas Williams and Santa Fe's Marcus Orona at 119; Bishop Amat's Andrew Ortega and San Dimas' Angel Garcia at 125 and Rosemead's Adrian Marquez at 130.
UPDATE (6:05 p.m.): Eight area wrestlers have advanced to the quarterfinals. In addition to those listed above, Northview's Jesse Cruz (145) and Schurr's Julian Zuniga scored third-round wins to advance.
FRIDAY FINAL UPDATE: Five area wrestlers advanced to the semifinals: 112 - Steven Salinas (Northview); 119 - Thomas Williams (South Hills), Marcus Orona (Santa Fe); 125 - Angel Garcia (San Dimas) and 145 - Jesse Cruz (Northview)....Five are still eligible to score a top-8 medal: 125 - Andrew Ortega (Bishop Amat); 130 - Adrian Marquez (Rosemead), Frank Martinez (Northview); 145 - David Stupplebean (Bonita); 215 - Julian Zuniga (Schurr). All five need to win their first match on Saturday to receive a top-eight medal...Ortega just missed making it six semifinals, losing 9-7 in triple overtime. He scored an escape with a second left in the second overtime only to give up a reverse with just 22 seconds left in the third extra period...I was also impressed with Marquez's performance. He advanced to the quarterfinals a day after long-time Rosemead coach Louie Madrigal passed away. I will be rooting for him to earn an eighth-place medal.
- Steve Ramirez