Blake Kastl will wrestle for a spot in the 135-pound finals on
Saturday, while Willie Fox, Nikko Villarreal and Paul Fox continue
on in the consolation bracket.
BAKERSFIELD – The field of 14 weight divisions with 40 of the state’s best in each, slowly dwindled down over a grueling 12-hour gauntlet.
Wrestlers with ice packs on shoulders, knees and heads wondered the lower level of Rabobank Arena, some waiting for their next match while others wished they had one more.
By the time the final match of Day I at the CIF State Wrestling Championships concluded, 56 semifinalists still had a shot at what they all gathered to earn.
After securing his second consecutive section crown last weekend, Gilroy High junior Blake Kastl said he wanted a state title.
He means it.
The junior 135-pounder is two wins away from his goal after finishing Day 1 with a flawless 4-0 record on Friday in Bakersfield.
Kastl broke down Dalton Metivier of Lincoln en route to a 9-3 quarterfinals triumph and will wrestle Shane Yacuta of Porterville in the semifinals Saturday.
Yacuta is the state’s second-ranked 135-pounder. Kastl is No. 4.
“We aren’t going to get too excited right now,” GHS head coach Greg Varela said.
Willie Fox (130) looked poised to join Kastl in the semifinals, going 3-0 to start his tournament. But the three-time state qualifier ran into the second-ranked 130-pounder Nick Pena of Selma in the quarterfinals. A tight encounter, Pena picked up a takedown in each of the first two periods and held on for a 4-2 win, sending Fox (4-1) to the consolation bracket where he will resume his meet Saturday.
The same goes for Freshman Nikko Villarreal, who was sharp early on has he notched three victories via decision. Villarreal, who is ranked No. 5 at 125-pounds drew returning state champ and No. 1-ranked Alex Cisneros of Selma in the quarterfinals. The experienced Cisneros wore down Villarreal (4-1), though not easily, for a 9-1 win.
Paul Fox’s day started well and good in the 112-pound bracket, beating Matt Nader out of Canyon 2-1. However, the freshman lost by pin in his second match, sending him to the consolation bracket. Fox, though, shook off the defeat and stormed back with victories in his next three bouts, including a 10-6 decision over Lupe Florez of Selma to make it to Day 2.
“We have some tough matches tomorrow,” Varela said.
Leif Dominguez (103) slipped down to the consolation bracket after suffering a 3-0 setback in his opening match but rebound to take his next two. However, Dominguez’s (2-2) run was cut short and he will not wrestle on Day 2.
Victor Olmos’ (119) saw his day come to an end after a narrow 5-4 loss in the second consolation round. Aaron Gonzalez (140) also met the end of the road on Friday, going 0-2.
Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Day 1 results for remaining GHS wrestlers
112 – Paul Fox
Champ. Round 1 – Paul Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 2-1 won by decision over Matt Nader (Canyon/A (SS)) 2-1 (Dec 5-1)
Champ. Round 2 – Arnulfo Olea – (Exeter (CS)) 2-0 won by pin over Paul Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 2-1 (Pin 4:44)
Cons. Round 2 – Paul Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 2-1 won by decision over Justin Martin del camp (West (SJ)) 1-2 (Dec 6-2)
Cons. Round 4 – Paul Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 4-1 won by decision over Lupe Florez – (Selma (CS)) 2-2 (Dec 10-6)
125 – Nikko Villarreal
Champ. Round 1 – Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by decision over Chris Garcia (Clovis West (CS)) 1-2 (Dec 10-4)
Champ. Round 2 – Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by decision over Nathan Monck (Orland (NS)) 1-1 (Dec 8-1)
Champ. Round 3 – Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by decision over Blake Lowrie (Laguna Hills (SS)) 1-1 (Dec 9-8)
Quarterfinal – Alex Cisneros (Selma (CS)) 3-0 won by major decision over Nikko Villarreal (Gilroy (CC)) 3-1 (Maj 9-1)
130 – Willie Fox
Champ. Round 1 – Willie Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by pin over Zack Wiley (Freedom (NC)) 0-2 (Pin 3:42)
Champ. Round 2 – Willie Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by tech fall over Tyler Zimmer – (Clovis West (CS)) 0-2 (TF 15-0)
Champ. Round 3 – Willie Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by decision over Tanner Feuerstein (Oakdale (SJ)) 1-1 (Dec 9-4)
Quarterfinal – Nick Pena (Selma (CS)) 3-0 won by decision over Willie Fox (Gilroy (CC)) 3-1 (Dec 4-2)
Blake Kastl
Champ. Round 1 – Blake Kastl (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by pin over C.j. Valenzuela (Madera (CS)) 0-2 (Pin 1:46)
Champ. Round 2 – Blake Kastl (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by pin over Alberto Flores (Rosemead (SS)) 0-2 (Pin 3:58)
Champ. Round 3 – Blake Kastl (Gilroy (CC)) 3-0 won by major decision over Jesse Taylor (Poway (SD)) 1-1 (Maj 11-1)
Quarterfinal – Blake Kastl (Gilroy (CC)) 4-0 won by decision over Dalton Metivier (Lincoln-S (SJ)) 2-1 (Dec 9-3)
