Young Espinoza shines for Alemany
By Heather Gripp Staff Writer (Article Last Updated: 01/12/2008 10:39:03 PM PST)
For the first time this season, the Alemany High of Mission Hills wrestling team entered a tournament, and Gary Espinoza was not a finalist.
That didn't mean there wasn't an Espinoza in the spotlight, though.
While the defending Southern Section champion, who has combined for four tournament titles this season at 140 and 135 pounds, joined teammate Paul Romero in skipping Saturday's Best in the Valley tournament at Chaminade of West Hills, Gary's cousin Anthony Espinoza made his season debut and was named the tournament's upper-weights MVP.
"I just wanted to do good since they weren't here," said Anthony Espinoza, who defeated Sylmar's Armando Ontiveros for the 189-pound title.
Gary Espinoza and Romero were resting for next weekend's Five Counties tournament at Fountain Valley High, according to the Warriors.
Saturday's competition was Anthony Espinoza's first since suffering a broken ankle during football season.
The sophomore hopes to drop to the 171-pound level in time for the postseason and set modest expectations while working back into shape.
"I was just trying to work my hardest," he said. "I wanted to work hard to show the team that's what we need to do."
Espinoza was one of six locals to claim titles at the 20-team event. Sylmar posted the area's highest team finish, placing third behind Bishop Amat of La Puente and California of Whittier.
Alemany's Mission League rival Harvard-Westlake of Studio City had one of the smallest squads, but led area programs with three finalists, including 145-pound champion Daniel Meer, who was selected middle-weights MVP.
Meer defeated California's Richard Calahan in the 145 final and teammate Spencer Friedman defeated California's Jeremy Ariza for the 130-pound title. Harvard-Westlake's Gavin Ross was runner-up at 125 pounds after losing to defending Southern Section champion Andrew Ortega from Bishop Amat.
"It's a great stepping stone for us for the postseason," said Wolverines coach Gary Bairos, whose team was without six members because of injury or illness and did not compete above 145 pounds. "At this point we're a tournament team, we have so many slots open. ... We're really happy so far. This is our best tournament so far."
Other local winners were Sylmar's Jorge Rodriguez (103), Granada Hills' Sebastian Escobar (135) and Birmingham of Lake Balboa's Sergio Perez (160). Chaminade's Adam Morena (112) and Birmingham's Oliver Cruz (152) also were finalists. Bishop Amat led all teams with six finalists and five champions, including 112-pound winner Justin Villarreal, who was selected lower-weights MVP.