Boys Wrestling
CIF San Diego Section Divisionals
When: Saturday. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m., with finals are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. (but may begin earlier).
Division 1
Where: Olympian High School
At stake: Top eight advance to Masters meet, which will be held Feb. 21-22 at Christian High School.
Defending team champion: Poway
Individual champions returning: Arseni Kikiniou (Poway) 106, Edwin Sierra (Poway) 113, Robert Jones (Poway) 120, Damian Jones (Granite Hills) 120 D4 transfer from Christian, Billy Townson (Poway) 126, Mario Canini (Poway) 144, Langdon Mullica (Westview) 150 D2, Angelo Posada (Poway) 175, Dominic Dotson (Poway) 190, Esteban Sanchez (Granite Hills) 215 D3 transfer from Montgomery.
Notable: Poway takes the first step in defending its record-breaking season last year. The Titans, ranked No. 11 in the nation and No. 3 in the state, return seven section champions, led by the Stanford-bound duo of Edwin Sierra and Angelo Posada. Eleven of the 14 wrestlers in the Poway lineup are ranked in the state Top 10. Some of the best matchups could be between Poway and Granite Hills wrestlers including: Poway’s fifth-ranked Matthew Orbeta vs. Granite’s No. 10 Ames Hoevker at 138; Poway’s No. 5 and state finalist Arseni Kikiniou vs. No. 14 Layronz Fraser at 144, No. 11 Carlos Valdeviezo of the Titans vs. No. 17 Aiden Chur of Granite Hills, a 2023 champion, or No. 18 Chris Villegas of Rancho Bernardo, at 150, No. 10 Bailey Hoffman of Poway vs. Granite’s No. 17 Ryan Carroll at 157; Granite Hills’ Junior Bumanglag vs. Poway’s Gunnar Neal in a 6/7 matchup at 175; and No. 1 ranked Posada vs. Granite Hills’ Esteban Sanchez at 215.
Division 2
Where: Orange Glen High School
At stake: Top six advance to Masters meet
Defending team champion: Mira Mesa
Individual champions returning: Aden Vang (Mira Mesa) 106, Jeremy Tajiri (Mira Mesa) 113, Josue Garcia (Bonita Vista) 120, Gabriel Pacheco (Central Union) 138, Langdon Mullica (Westview) 150, Marcelino Nona (Valhalla) 157, Iyland Calvo (Mt. Carmel) 175, Victor Gosswiller (Valhalla).
Notable: Mt. Carmel’s Iyland Calvo is the highest-ranked wrestler in the field, ranked 14th at 175. Also garnishing top-25 rankings are Gabriel Pacheco of Central Union (No. 21 at 132), Victor Gosswiller of Valhalla (No. 23 at 215) and Josue Garcia of Bonita Vista (No. 25 at 126).
Division 3
Where: Ramona High School
At stake: Top six advance to Masters meet
Defending team champion: Brawley
Individual champions returning: Benjamin Limentang (Brawley) 106, Xamian Munoz (Brawley) 113, Ricardo Ortiz (Brawley) 120, Diego Arias (Brawley) 126, Evan Velez (Brawley) 132, Sam Weinberg (La Costa Canyon) 138, Michael Cantor (University City) 144, Liam Gonzalez (Ramona) 150, Matthew Gutierrez (Brawley) 190.
Notable: Brawley is led by Evan Velez, who is seeking his fourth-straight title. The Wildcats’ Ricardo Ortiz, ranked No. 11 in the state at 120, is seeking his third straight title; so is 17th-ranked Matthew Gutierrez. Brawley’s Diego Arias is ranked No. 9 at 132. La Costa Canyon’s Sam Weinberg is ranked No. 162 at 150 in the state and teammate Shane Ito is 19th at 106. Ramona’s Gabriel Vargas is looking to get back in the final for the third straight season, finishing second last year at 113 after winning the 106-pound title in 2023. He forfeited in the final to another Brawley wrestler seeking a third straight title,Xamien Munoz.
Division 4
Where: Mar Vista High School
At stake: Top 4 advance to Masters
Defending team champion: Imperial
Individual champions returning: Anthony Strahm (Holtville) 106, Cade Johnston (Tri-City Christian) 113, Gavin Mitchell (Madison) 132, Mason Navarro (Holtville) 138, Noah Larios (Imperial) 215.
Notable: Imperial Valley teams have won this division 14 times since 2003, including the last six in a row. Imperial looks like the favorites to defend its title led by 13th-ranked heavyweight Noah Larios.Madison’s Gaven Mitchell is seeking his third straight title. His only loss was to Holtville’s Dion Johnston 5-3 in the 2022 final. Look for a pair of match-ups between desert rivals. Holtville’s Mason Navarro, ranked No. 38 at 158, is bumping down to 150 to face Imperial’s Izak Barragan. The heavyweights could come down to Larrios against Holtville’s Sam Hilfiker.
KEVIN J. FARMER
