ALL-AREA WRESTLING TEAM PHOTO GALLERY
ALL-AREA WRESTLING TEAM ONLINE
Wrestler of the Year: BRYAN SALINAS, Northview, Junior
Northview High School’s Bryan Salinas made the most out of a little this season.
The junior, who dispite missing most of the regular season to a knee injury, still managed to pull off a dominating season that included CIF-Southern Section and Masters titles and a top eight finish at the CIF State Wrestling championships.
For his efforts, Salinas is San Gabriel Valley Tribune Wrestler of the Year.
“I did what I could with my knee this year,” Salinas said. “It was hard for me, to miss that much time and get caught up with other people.
“But I’m happy with the way it wound up, to win CIF, win Masters. I was hoping for more at state, but I’m happy I placed.
It was a long road for Salinas, who didn’t compete until finishing second at 170 pounds in January at the 5 Counties Invitational, considered a state meet preview.
He then rolled during the postseason, winning at 170 in the league finals before scoring a CIF-SS Central Division crown and then a Masters title on back-to-back weekends to qualify for the state meet.
The Masters title, which saw him beat Riverside King’s Harlan Kistler, 7-3, was especially rewarding after finishing second the previous season.
“That felt good,” Salinas said. “I felt like where I should be. I felt like I was on pace.”
But it wasn’t to be. He won his first three matches at the state meet in Bakersfield, two by fall, before dropping a 5-2 setback to Jovan Villalobs, of Alisal (Salinas), in the quarterfinals.
Salinas battled his way to the seventh-place match but was forced to default due to re-injurying his knee.
“It wasn’t a very good feeling,” Salinas said. “It was disappointing. I wanted to go more, but my knee wouldn’t let me.
“It was hurting me that whole weekend, the whole season. I did everything possible.”
Now, he’s already looking toward next year, when they goal, as expected is the same.
“I want to go back and hopefully win state,” he said. “Then continue on to nationals.”
Coach of the Year: TIM MCCABE, Charter Oak
McCabe has slowly built a solid program in his four seasons at Charter Oak. He previously coached at Glendora, where his teams had good representation at the CIF-SS individual championships. Charter Oak, after showing steady progress the previous three seasons, were stout in 2013, winning the Sierra League dual title for the first time in his tenure before advancing to the quarterfinals of the Division I dual championships. He produced on CIF-SS champion in Eric Prevost (225) and qualified four competitors to the Masters Meet. Charter Oak finished seventh as a team in the Central Division.
FIRST TEAM
106 – VINCENT PARRA, Northview, Junior
The junior was one of the top competitors at 106 pounds in the CIF-Southern Section, qualifying for CIF State championships after winning a Central Division title and placing third at the Masters Meet. He also won a Valle Vista League title and was second at the 5 Counties Tournament in January.
113 – ERIC OCHOA, Northview, Senior
The senior, son of Northview coach David Ochoa, had his best season, winning a Valle Vista League title and his first section title, taking the 113 championship in the Central Division championships. He was third at CIF-SS Masters to qualify for the state meet, and won a 5 Counties title.
120 – FREDDIE HSIAO, Walnut, Senior
The senior was one of 10 area competitors to win a CIF-Southern Section indiviudual title. He was a surprise winner, taking the 120-pound class at the Central Division championships after yielding just six points en route to his title. He had one win by fall, with two shut outs before beating Northwood’s Kodsart Denaro, 3-2.
126 – KEVIN KELLY, South Hills, Junior
Kelly was the area’s top competitor at 126. He won a Sierra League title and was second at the CIF-Southern Section Central Division championships, losing to Bloomington’s Johnny Foster. He advanced to the quarterfinals at Masters before losing in the consolation fourth round.
132 – THOMAS TELLO, Glendora, Senior
Tello, the top area wrestler at 132, had a solid season, placing at divisionals and Masters to be one of 11 area competitors to advance to the CIF State championships. He was second at the Inland Division Championships and was fourth at Masters. Tello, who went 1-2 at the state meet, was one of two Tartans at Masters.
138 – MICHAEL SILL, Walnut, Senior
Sill, a two-time state qualifier, was at his best late, placing at divisionals, Masters and the state championships, where he was one of two area competitors to finish among the top eight, taking fifth at 138 pounds. He was also third at the CIF-SS Central Division championships and eighth at Masters.
145 – RICKY PADILLA, Northview, Sophomore
Padilla was one of seven Vikings to advance to the CIF State championships. The sophomore won a CIF-Southern Section Central Division title at 145 and was fourth at the CIF-SS Masters Meet. Padilla, ranked in the state top 20 most of the season, also was second at the 5 Counties Invitational in January.
152 – SETH MORALES, Bonia, Junior
Morales was the top competitor at 152 pounds. He won a Hacienda League title before placing third at the CIF-Southern Section Central Division championships. He made the podium after following up a loss in the second round with six consecutive victories. He also was first at the Montclair Tournament.
160 – STEVEN LOPEZ, Northview, Senior
Lopez was the top area competitor at 160. He finished the season at No. 18 in the state after being one of the seven Vikings to qualify for the CIF State championships. He won a Valle Vista League title before winning a Central Division title and eighth at the Masters Meet. He went 2-2 at the state meet.
170 – GARRICK GURNEY, Chino Hills, Senior
Gurney is the top competitor at 170. He was the third Husky to qualify for the CIF State championships in the past two seasons. He won a Sierra League title and was fourth at the CIF-SS Central Division championships. He was fifth at Masters before finishing one round short of placing at the state meet.
182 – NATHAN RODRIGUEZ, Diamond Bar, Senior
Rodriguez is the top competitor at 182. He was one of 10 area athletes to win a CIF-SS division title, placing first at the Central Division championships. He placed seventh at the Masters Meet to become one of 11 area competitors to qualify for the state meet, although he was forced to default.
195 – ERIC PREVOST, Charter Oak, Junior
Prevost was the top competitor at 195. He keyed the Chargers run to their first Sierra League dual championship. Individually, he won a Sierra League title and a CIF-SS Central Division championship. He went 2-2 at the Masters meet. Prevost’s 2013 resume also included a tournament championship at Bob Bellot Invitational at Montclair High School.
225 – KEANDRE JOHNSON, Diamond Bar, Junior
Johnson was the top competitor at 225. He was part of Diamond Bar’s one-two tandem with Nathan Rodriguez. The junior advanced to the semifinals at the CIF-SS Central Division championships before taking third. He was two rounds short of qualifing for the state meet after losing in the second round. He also won a Hacienda League title.
285 – MARCO VALDIVIA, South Hills, Sernior
The top heavyweight in the area. Valdivia was one of 10 area champions at the CIF-SS Central Division finals. He won a Sierra League title before living up to his No. 1 seed by beating Righetti’s Dante Gamble for the Central Division title. He also helped the Huskies advance to the CIF-SS Division I dual championships quarterfinals.
SECOND TEAM
106: Josh Martinez (Rowland), Sr.
113: Jose Lozano (Covina), Sr.
120: John Rivera (Northview), Jr.
126: Joseph Alexander (Charter Oak), Jr.
132: Tony Arellano (Northview), Sr.
138: Daniel Valles (Northview), Sr.
145: Nicolas Viramontes (Bishop Amat), Sr.
152: Matt Chavez
(South Hills), Jr.
160: Greg Lawton (Rowland), Sr.
170: Bradley Ojala
(West Covina, Sr.
182: Josh Ebiner
(Bishop Amat), Sr.
195: Matt Carrillo (Diamond Bar), Sr.
225: James Rivera (Arroyo), Sr.
285: Ryan Padilla (Glendora), Jr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Arroyo: Luis Hernandez (285)
Ayala: Stephen Schapp (195)
Bishop Amat: Carlos Garcia (195)
Charter Oak: Joey Castrorena (132); Diego Cortez (152); David Apodaca (285)
Chino Hills: Nathan Aragon (160)
Damien: Patrick Sanchez (285)
Northview: Anthony Martinez (182)
Rowland: Bruno Flores (126); Mario Lopez (138)
San Dimas: David Gonzalez (106)
South El Monte: Eduardo Yebras (120)
West Covina: Robert Montoya (182)
FINAL TOP 10
1. Northview
2. Rowland
3. Bishop Amat
4. Walnut
5. Charter Oak
6. Diamond Bar
7. South Hills
8. Glendora
9. Arroyo
10. Sierra Vista
CIF-SS CHAMPS
106: Vincent Parra (NV)
113: Eric Ochoa (NV)
120: Freddie Hsiao (Walnut)
138: Mario Lopez (Rwld)
145: Ricky Padilla (NV)
160: Steven Lopez (NV)
170: Bryan Salinas (NV)
182: Nathan Rodriguez (DB)
195: Eric Prevost (CO)
Hwt: Marco Valdivia (SH)
MEET OF THE YEAR: CIF-SS Central Division Championships (Feb. 15-16 at Notre Vista High School)
Northview High School believed it left a little on the table when it came up short in the CIF-Southern Section dual wrestling championships.
The Vikings did something about it, scoring five individual champions to win the school’s 10th CIF-Southern Section title en route to winning the Central Division crown.
It was also an impressive performance for the area, which won 10 of the 14 weight classes and qualified 36 to the CIF-SS Masters Meet.
The 10 champions were Northview’s Vincent Parra (106 pounds), Eric Ochoa (113), Ricky Padilla (145), Steven Lopez (160) and Bryan Salinas (170); Rowland’s Mario Lopez (136); Walnut’s Freddie Hsiao (120); Diamond Bar’s Nathan Rodriguez (182); Charter Oak’s Eric Prevost and South Hills’ Marco Valdivia (285).
“I didn’t know we had this kind of depth in our area,” Northview coach Bobby Bellamy said. “We have some real good kids who are going to make some noise at Masters.”
steve.ramirrez@sgvn.com, twitter.com/SteveRRamirez, 626-544-0857
