The Central Section wrestling championships, better known as the Masters, will kick off this Friday at Selland Arena in Fresno.
This tournament is considered the toughest in the state. Buchanan-Clovis, one of the top ranked teams in the nation and No. 1 in California, will be present, along with their archrival, Clovis High.
Last weekend, Divisionals were held. Firebaugh travelled to Reedley for the Div. IV competition while Dos Palos competed at Edison-Fresno at the Div. III level.
At Reedley, Firebaugh finished in third place out of 23 schools. Central-Fresno won the team title with 248 points, followed by Reedley with 184 points. Firebaugh was close behind with 153 points.
The Eagles were again led by senior Mike Perez, who won his third straight Divisional title. He won the 150 lb. title with a victory by pin over Quintin Harley of St. Joseph’s-Santa Maria.
Junior Heavyweight Vicente Cardoza came through with one of the biggest upsets of the day, defeating the No. 1 seed from San Luis Obispo with a third period pin in the semifinals. Cardoza would end up in second place.
Sophomore Steve Garcia placed fourth and Alex Rosa Jr., Rocco Castillo, and Anthony Baeza placed fifth.
All six wrestlers will now move on to Selland Arena.
At the Div. III tournament, Madera South won the team title, followed by two Bakersfield schools, Independence and Foothill.
Dos Palos will send three wrestlers to Fresno. Gurvinder Singh and Justin Hurd continued their solid year and will look to make some waves this weekend. Singh placed third at 190 lbs., and Hurd, a junior, placed fourth at 217 lbs. Gio Martinez qualified as an alternate at 108 lbs.
Bronco head wrestling coach Adrian Marrufo noted that Singh and Hurd will have to be at their best this weekend.
“They can definitely qualify for state,” said Marrufo. “At Selland, it will be the best of the best, but I think they definitely have a chance.”
The state championships will again be held in Bakersfield starting on Feb. 27.
