ragostini's blog

 Introductions are being made before the 37th CIF State Wrestling Championships climax with the 14 title matches. Rabobank Arena probably won't be filled, but there is a buzz in the crowd. An entire season in this great state comes down to one night in one venue. If you are a sports fan or just a fan of good people, you would enjoy being here.

David Ferry of Central Catholic, the finalist at 135, will try to put his name alongside Central Catholic's three-time state champion Louis Bland (2005, '06 and '08, lost in the finals of '07), and other state champs from Modesto: Grace Davis' Mike Hurst ('04), Billy Blunt ('96), Matt Demers ('96) and current Cal Poly coach John Azevedo ('74 and '75).

 By the way, CC coach Steve Strange and Billy Murphy combined for four state titles (two apiece) at Hughson. Ferry has received wonderful coaching.

Greetings on this cloudy morning from Bakersfield. We've already had some developments before the start of the semifinal matches of the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Turlock junior Fabian Garcia (119), his right knee heavily taped, scored an easy victory in his consolation match. This gives him at least a medal (top eight). Not what he gunned for, but he clearly is not 100 percent given his loss in the quarterfinals Friday night. Shane Tate of Oakdale (130) and David Ferry of Central Catholic (135), the Stanislaus District's only semifinalist, will wrestle soon. The semifinals are under way.  

A.C. Brown of Oakdale absorbed a tough first-round loss at 171. He led 5-0, then was pinned by Erik Hasan of Simi Valley. All the so-called "pigtail" matches, the bouts that seed wrestlers into the 32-man bracket, are being contested to start the day.

Jose Zuniga's thrilling 2-1 win in double overtime over Johnnie Nguyen of Andrew Hill carried an even bigger reward. Zuniga has gained another win via injury default over Richie Cascante of San Gorgonion, so Turlock's 7th-place finisher at 112 at Stockton last week already has pocketed two wins. And teammate Garrett Fortado, the Section Masters champion at 103, opened with a 6-3 win over Nick Jacobo of Northview.

 At 130, Devin Nanik of Bret Harte was beaten 8-7 by Billy Reyes of La Costa Canyon. Kevin Villalobos of Livingston lost 16-1 (technical fall) to Joey Davis of Santa Fe at 135.

 The Turlock High Bulldogs are off to a great start this morning. Sophomore Garrett Fortado, the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion at 103 pounds, got the first takedown and did not trail during a 6-3 first-round win over Nick Jacobo of Northview.  This was an outbracket match, so Fortado has worked into the bracket of 32, where his next opponent is Los Angeles Section champion Davit Havhannisyan of San Fernando.

The matches of Fortado and teammate Jose Zuniga were conducted on adjacent mats. While Fortado carefully negotiated his way to a win, Zuniga grinded to an impressive 2-1 win in double overtime over Andrew Hill's Johnnie Nguyen of Andrew Hill, the Central Coast Section runner-up at 112. Turlock coach Mike Contreras was extremely pleased over Zuniga's win. 

 Good morning from Bakersfield! We're minutes away from the first-round matches of the 37th CIF State Wrestling Championships. This is the 7th year the event has been staged at Bakersfield, and the venue--Rabobank Arena--is cozy though it's a larger version of Stockton Arena. I made a pleasant early-morning drive today. communing with the 18-wheelers and the Southern Pacific trains nearby off 99. The weather is nice, but it's expected to get wet tomorrow. No matter, we're dry and comfortable indoors. Tyler Allen, the Oakdale High senior and young wrestling star seriously injured three years ago, was acknowledged about five minutes ago. "You are a true champion," said veteran public address  wrestling announcer Sandy Stevens, "the voice of wrestling."

Peter Anguiano of Franklin of Elk Grove (47-1) scored a takedown as time expired to defeat Lefi Letuligasenoa of Elk Grove (24-4) 5-3 in the heavyweight final. Anguiano drew even 3-3 with a pair of escapes in the third period. We had a few exciting finishes to wrap up the program. Gilstrap's loss was a crusher.

 Oakdale senior Charlie Gilstrap, the defending section champion at 215, lost a heartbreaking 3-2 decision in three overtimes to Paul Buchanan of Ponderosa. It came down to the 0-second third overtime. Buchanan, beginning in the down position, escaped at the 15.9 second mark for the title. Had he not escaped, Gilstrap would have annexed his second straight title. Tough loss in a match devoid of a takedown. Couldn't script this: Buchanan also used an escape at the end of overtime to beat Gary Gellerman of Calaveras 3-2 in the semfinal.