Wrestling: CdM wins before match starts

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - The Corona del Mar High wrestling team intensified its

focus on technical work and Ben Inouye, Cameron Posipisil and Brad

Sperber delivered in a 72-24 Pacific Coast League victory over

Newport-Mesa District rival Estancia.

Because the host Eagles gave up eight victories by forfeit the

visiting Sea Kings had already won before the dual match began. CdM

(10-6, 2-1 in the PCL) won three out of the five non-forfeit matches, as

Inouye, Posipisil and Sperber earned their second pins of the PCL season.

“We just wanted to wrestle sharp,� Sea Kings Coach Gary Almquist said.

“And we did that. Sperber was an excellent example. Ben Inouye was

sharp.�

Sperber, a senior, avenged a loss to Estancia’s Jose Vaurgeni, when

Sperber pinned Vaurgeni in 1:22.

“Sperber wrestled (Vaurgeni) in heavyweight and lost last year,�

Almquist said.

The Eagles (0-3 in the PCL) recorded two victories by pin on the night

by sophomore Alphonso Pedroza and junior Victor Carmona.

Pedroza, who was originally slated to wrestle at 119, took advantage

of a fresh Matt Loeb of CdM in the 112-pound division. Pedroza shot for a

takedown 20 seconds into the match and then covered Loeb for a pin in 45

seconds.

Carmona, last year’s PCL champion at 125 pounds, built a 7-1 lead over

senior Brian Freedman after one period. Carmona scored a takedown 45

seconds into the second period and covered Freedman, who would not let

his shoulders touch the mat until there was 0:05 left in the two-minute

period.

“He just needs to work a little more on his technical stuff,� Estancia

Coach Steve Perez said of Carmona’s chances of winning a second straight

PCL title. “He needs to get healthy. (University High’s Benji) Yoshino

hit him with a couple of fireman carries when they wrestled.�

Yoshino, who lost to Carmona in last year’s PCL finals, is Carmona’s

biggest competition. Yoshino defeated Carmona last week and in the

Estancia Tournament earlier this month, but the one that really counts is

the PCL finals.

Inouye, a senior, is also a viable PCL champion contender at 130. He

roared to a 10-2 first-period lead over Martin Diaz. Inouye then earned

the pin in the second period after shooting for a takedown.

Posipisil earned his fastest pin of the season, covering Yuri

Marshukov in 19 seconds.

The CdM junior varsity squad also defeated Estancia, edging the

Eagles, 32-30. CdM’s Andrew Keligan (189) and heavyweight wrestler Robbie

Richey scored key victories in the last two matches leading to the

victory.

Richey earned a 5-4 win, scoring an escape in the last period and

Richey worked for a 6-2 victory.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Corona del Mar 72, Estancia 24

103 - Alston (CdM) by forfeit; 112 - Pedroza (E) pinned Loeb, 0:45;

119 - Warner by forfeit; 125 - Carmona (E) pinned Freedman, 3:55; 130 -

Inouye (CdM) pinned Diaz; 135 - Bello (CdM) by forfeit; 140 - double

forfeit; 145 - Posipisil (CdM) pinned Marshukov, 0:19; 152 - Shores (CdM)

by forfeit; 160 - Moore (CdM) by forfeit; 171 - Green (CdM) by forfeit;

189 - Sperber (CdM) pinned Vaurgeni; 215 - Shipman (CdM) by forfeit; Hwt.

- York (CdM) by forfeit.

Geier wins in Sailors’ loss

Newport Harbor High’s individual fortunes in Sea View League

competition at Laguna Hills were abbreviated considering the Hawks were

75-6 winners on a team basis.

The Sailors’ 130-pound Nate Geier came up with a victory over the

Hawks’ Kevin McKay with a pin, using a “banana splits� maneuver.

The victory, which came with 1:07 left in the first period, improved

Geier’s record to 3-0 in league. Overall he’s 12-4.

The Sailors are at the San Clemente Invitational on Saturday, starting

at 10 a.m.