Wrestling: Martinez wins state title; Davis takes second and Arroyo's Blanco and Alhambra's Avila score seventh-place medals
Above: Northview's Frank Martinez battles Trinity's Kevin Maelfeyt in a 140-pound semifinal match Saturday duirng the CIF State championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Martinez rallied to win by fall. He then followed with a 3-1 victory over Selma's Nathan Zarate to become Northview's third state champion
Northview's Frank Martinez rallied for a 3-1 victory over Selma's Nathan Zarate to win the 140-pound weight class at the CIF State wrestling championships Saturday night at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Santa Fe's Joey Davis dropped a tough 4-2 decision to Central Catholic's David Ferry in the 135 final, while Alhambra's Abel Avila and Arroyo's Noel Blanco both took seventh in their respective classes.
Here's my story from the final day of the state finals
Here's some comments from all our area placers:
Northview's Frank Martinez: "This has been my goal since I was a little kid. I always wanted to come to the state tournament and be a champion. All my hard work paid off."
Santa Fe coach Sal Garcia on Davis taking second: "You have to balance between your offense and defense in that situation. I think if we would have gotten in on a shot, we would have won. But he had a great year. I can't picture him not being in the finals for the next two years. He had a great year and beat some good guys. To get this far as a sophomore is quite an accomplishment."
Alhambra's Abel Avila: "This is incredible. I have to thank God for everything. He just blows my mind right now. I'm so excited with this opportunity just to place. I set my goals all and with all the practice, the camps, everything was all worth it.."
Arroyo's Noel Blanco's: "He (Temecula Valley's Marco DeCaro) took my CIF title from me. He's a cool kid. I have nothing against him. But I wanted pay back, and I got it."
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Miguel Melendez's prep blog
In the Huddle
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
Good job Frankie. I wrestled for Northview in 69-72 and did well @ 140, but not that good.
way to go Frankie, Im so proud of you...your hard work over all the years payed off and your heart for the game brought you victory. You earned it man and now you're a legend of the sport...God bless you and your family, as well as Ochoa, LaFarge, and Bellamy...
Great job Frank! Your hard work paid off a long time ago, but this is the exclamation point!
Congratulations Frankie!!
I am very proud of you....YOU totally deserve it!!
Outstanding Match and Win!!
You are a tremendous role model for all Vikings and future Vikings...
Frankie Martinez! State Champion! What a thrill! I am so proud of you. I coached Frankie in Pop Warner football for a couple of years and this is a class kid from a class family. Everything starts at home, and his parents, sister and brother are one of the closest families I have ever seen or been around. Watching Frankie grow up these past years has been nothing but a pleasure...he's polite, thoughtful, smart and very well spoken. There is only one reason Frankie is state champ. He out works everyone else. He told me back when he was a Brahma that he was going to be state champ. I'm glad we didn't bet! The best thing about this, is Frankie has a life outside of wrestling. He played football, he goes to parties, he hangs out with his friends. He is not Daddy driven..and I don't worry what will happen to him when he gets away from home. The sky is the limit Frankie...maybe someday it will President Martinez....who knows....today anythings possible....Congrats again...
Congratulations to Frank Martinez. Wrestlers work ethic and dedication are matched by very few, what an impressive accomplishment. Congratulations to his coaches as well, David Ochoa, Bobby Bellamy and crew.
Frankie Martinez wins state title!!!!!! Way to go frankie!!!