Wrestling season wraps up

DOWNEY - The Downey High School wrestling season, both team and individual, has come to an end.The Vikings finished their regular season with a dual meet record of 15-3 and a quarterfinal round C.I.F. Division IV loss to eventual dual meet champion Bloomington, 39-30. Downey also crowned three individual league champions. Mark Lopez (106), Daniel Martinez (126) and Juan Soto (152) were all the best in the San Gabriel Valley League at their respective weight classes. The Vikings sent twelve out of fourteen wrestlers to compete at the C.I.F. Inland Division wrestling championships at Los Osos High School February 15-16th. Downey had several wrestlers win matches and advance deep in the tournament. Paramount, the 2013 S.G.V.L. champion, placed 14th at C.I.F. with 74 points. For their efforts, Downey placed 19th with 49 points, Gahr placed 26th with 27 points and Warren placed 29th with 25.5 points, respectively. Sophomore 106 pounder Mark Lopez, junior 152 pounder Juan Soto and junior 220 pounder Anthony Florido all had strong showings, earned quality points for the Vikings, but did not place in the top five of their respective weight classes. The top five wrestlers at each weight class advanced to the Master's meet at Temecula Valley High School last weekend. Warren's senior 106 pounder Andy Garcia advanced after defeating Downey's Mark Lopez in overtime. Andy Garcia placed third at C.I.F. and advanced to the Master's meet. Andy Garcia lost to David Gonzalez of San Dimas 4-3 in the first round and then lost to Richard Pocock of Cal High 10-3 in his second match at the Master's meet. After Garcia's second loss, he was eliminated from the tournament and his season was over.

********** Published: February 28, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 46