BAKERSFIELDBAKERSFIELD — Things weren’t looking great for Poway High School going into Day 2 of the CIF State Wrestling Championships.
That was, until the Titans put up a perfect 10.
The Titans were 10-for-10 in the quarterfinals to explode past Clovis Buchanan and into the lead entering Saturday’s final at the Mechanics Bank Arena.
“I have to it, personally I was a little scared,” said Poway’s 150-pound senior Laird Root. “We didn’t look our best yesterday, but we did it today; 10-for-10 in the quarters!”
Entering the day, Poway stood 17 points behind Buchanan, the winners of the last seven straight state team titles. Poway finished the day 20 points ahead, leading 167.5-147.
“We had some talks last night and decided we can’t be scared and just let it fly,” Root continued.
Root had a big hand in it. His 18-1 tech fall in four minutes over Noah Reynolds of Clovis helped propel the Titans into the lead.
“I’d like to think I had an important role in it,” said Root. “When I took the mat for my quarters, I told myself I had to set an example.”
The other nine did as well.
One of the biggest came at 144 pounds, where freshman Mario Carini upset third-seeded Tommy Thongseng of Exeter Union, 5-4.
“I love that kid,” said Root of Carini. “I wrestle him every day in the room. I see a lot of myself in him. He’s a dog.”
Other Titans advancing to the semifinals were: Arseni Kikiniou (106), Edwin Sierra (113), Billy Townson (126), Elias Navida (132), Paul Kelly (138), unbeaten Angelo Posada (175), defending state champ Robert Platt (215) and Adam Farha (285).
Sierra’s 9-4 decision of Anthony Castillo (Bakersfield Central) sets up a third showdown in as many weeks with Granite Hills’ Abram Cline. The Eagles’ senior advanced with a 1-0 decision of Elijah Valencia of Fresno Central to set up the rematch.
Cline’s teammate, top-ranked Collin Guffey, kept his unbeaten record in order with a first-period pin of Brodie Johnson of Pitman in 1:10.
Hernandez, Poway take girls’ lead
Poway’s Eden Hernandez is on a mission to prove a No. 4 seeding is too low.
“I’m very confident with three pins,” said Hernandez after collecting a fall in 5:38 at 110 pounds to move into today’s semifinals. “I’m very confident.”
She was more than that.
After her victory, Poway’s girls surged into the team lead, something usually reserved for the boys.
“I was excited watching the boys (do so well) but then I heard we had the lead,” said Hernandez, senior. “We’re in first!”
At least temporarily. Poway finished the day tied with Newport Harbor for the lead.
With Hernandez’s win, she gave the section contingent of nine top-four seeds a sweep in the quarterfinals.
Unbeaten Delarie Juarez of Brawley (28-0), the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds, collected her third straight pin in 1:14 to move into the semis versus No. 5 Skyler Gassell of Newport Harbor.
Rancho Buena Vista’s top-seeded Kayla Edwards moved to 42-1 with a 6-2 decision over Clairemont’s Roxanne Raab at 1:35 in a showdown of section wrestlers.
Monte Vista’s Olivia Davis, No. 2 at 140, took just 45 seconds to march into the semis.
Fellow No. 2 Alejandra Valdiviezo of Poway took just 59 seconds to advance at 120 pounds, setting up an all-section semifinal where she’ll face Brawley’s Lauren Zaragoza, who prevailed 11-7.
The 115-pound bracket also will have a pair of section locals: No. 3 Xiomara Gallego of Poway won 8-6 and No. 4 Birta McCaskill of Mira Mesa scored a 17-1 technical fall at 5:37.
La Costa Canyon’s Alexandria Perez, seeded No. 3 at 170, scored a pin in 4:58.
