Northview wrestling as strong as ever

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By Steve Ramirez
Northview High School has set the wrestling bar in the area for two decades and the Vikings look to be as strong as ever.
Northview, which features two returning CIF State medalists and one state qualifier, made a big point last weekend in Arizona, winning the Peoria Invitational on the strength of four individual championships.
The Vikings were led by seniors Eddie Flores, who won at 113 pounds and Jackson Serna, who won at heavyweight. The other winners were Dominick Arellano, who won at 120 and Ricky Marin, who won at 138. Other placers were Jason Valencia (126, fifth), Gabriel Cortez (132, fourth) and Rigo Estrada (220, third).

“It was a great experience for our kids,” Northview coach Bobby Bellamy said. “It was nice for them to see competition from a variety of states; to compete against the best that Arizona has to offer, as well as Colorado and Nevada.

“I was very proud of our kids. We competed. We won the tournament and had four champions.”

Flores, who won his third tournament title of the season, was sixth at 106 at the state meet last season. He’s ranked No. 6 in the state at 113 by The California Wrestler. He also won titles at Carter and El Cajon.

Serna, who won a CIF Southern Section Masters title last season, is a favorite to place at state this season. He’s ranked No. 7 by TCW. He has two tournament titles and a second-place finish.

Northview also features 2016 area San Gabriel Valley Tribune Wrestler of the Year Steven Comstock, who is ranked No. 2 at 170 by TCW. He was fourth in the state at 170 last season. Comstock was the No. 1 seed in Arizona, but had to withdraw after tweaking his knee after winning his first two matches.

Bellamy said he should be OK going forward.

“He should be back around league finals,” Bellamy said. “He’s having a phenomenal year right now. He’s our leader, so it will be nice to get him back.”

The Vikings, along with some of the area’s top competitors, will compete at this weekend’s Five Counties Invitational, which is considered the top tournament in the state.

The Vikings look capable of another strong finish in February and March during Valle Vista League finals and CIF-SS competition.

“I don’t think we started off like we thought they’d be,” Bellamy said. “But these kids are getting better every day, every practice, every tournament and every competition.

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