GHS’s stay at the CIF State Wrestling Championships has
concluded with three medalists. BAKERSFIELD – Freshman Nikko
Villarreal scored a crucial two points via reversal with two
seconds left in the third period to claim a 4-2 decision and third
place in the 125-pound division at the CIF State Wrestling
Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on Saturday.
BAKERSFIELD – Freshman Nikko Villarreal scored a crucial two points via reversal with two seconds left in the third period to claim a 4-2 decision and third place in the 125-pound division at the CIF State Wrestling Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on Saturday.
Tied 2-2 with Micah Cruz of Bakersfield, Villarreal managed to wriggle from his bottom position and score the reversal.
“I thought I was getting tilted so I knew I had to get out of there,” Villarreal said, sporting a gnarly looking cut on the bridge of his nose.
The No.5-ranked 125-pounder in the state went 7-1 during the two-day tournament, including an overtime victory over the state’s second-ranked 125-pounder Fabian Garcia of Turlock to get into the third-place bout.
“All the tournament’s we go to don’t prepare you for this and all the stress your head goes through,” GHS head coach Greg Varela said. “He did a great job staying composed.”
Junior Blake Kastl (135) began Day 2 in the semifinals against No. 2-ranked Shane Yacuta of Porterville. Yacuta, though, caught Kastl early in the match, mounting a 7-1 lead en route to a major decision win 13-3, sending Kastl to the consolation bracket.
Ahead 6-2 in the consolation semifinal, Kastl’s opponent Adam Hendrickson of Healdsburg withdrew because of an injury.
Kastl, who is No. 4 at 135 pounds, met Bakersfield’s No. 2 Tim Box for third. In a shootout, Box prevailed 12-9.
“He’s disappointed in his performance, but I’m not” Varela said. “I’m proud of him.”
Freshman Paul Fox (112) also earned a spot on the podium, finishing eighth in his first state meet appearance.
Willie Fox (130), the only other GHS grappler to survive to Day 2, fell one win shy of the medal rounds, succumbing to No. 1-ranked Natrelle Demision of Bakersfield, 5-4. Deminson, a returning state medalist ended up third.
“I don’t like to call it a tough draw, because when you get to state, you know you’re going to wrestle the best,” Varela said. “But anywhere else on the bracket and I think Willie would’ve been fine.”
As a team, Gilroy finshed in seventh place with 63 points. Clovis dethroned defending champion Bakersfield to take the team title.
Team Scores
1. Clovis (CS) 187.0
2. Bakersfield (CS) 181.0
3. Selma (CS) 101.0
4. De La Salle (NC) 80.5
5. Lemoore (CS) 79.0
6. Calvary Chapel/Sa (SS) 66.5
7. Gilroy (CC) 63.0
8. Porterville (CS) 61.5
9. Vacaville (SJ) 60.5
10. Clovis West (CS) 59.
View more photos of State Wrestling at our
