Hayes, Amaya Supply Thrills as El Camino Real Chills San Fernando

WOODLAND HILLS — A pair of surprising pins highlighted El Camino Real High’s 45-26 victory over San Fernando in a City Section nonleague wrestling meet Thursday night at El Camino Real.

But then, someone had to provide excitement, considering El Camino Real’s Jeff Macrea, defending City heavyweight champion with a 27-2 record, was awarded a forfeit victory and did not wrestle.

Enter El Camino Real’s Clifton Hayes and David Amaya.

Hayes (135 pounds), a first-year wrestler, stunned San Fernando’s Freddy Robles, City champion at 119 last season, with a first-period pin in 1 minute 3 seconds.

Amaya (152) shocked all observers with a second-period pin of Juan Gutierrez after falling behind, 15-1.

Amaya appeared overwhelmed by Gutierrez, who was one point shy of a technical fall. With no points to spare, Amaya (15-6) executed a reversal and flattened Gutierrez in 3:43.

“I was just waiting for him to make one mistake,” Amaya said. “I was kinda surprised.”

Said El Camino Real Coach Terry Fischer: “I’ve never seen a comeback like that.”

Robles appeared equally surprised by his loss to Hayes. He threw down his headgear after the bout, and was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct, costing San Fernando (10-7-1) one point.

“I guess he thought I was just some cheeseball,” said Hayes, who improved to 6-3, including three pins. “I just picked him up and pinned him.”

The final tally was no surprise for defending City champion El Camino Real (13-3): nine victories in 14 bouts, including six pins.

Jesus Rivera (112), Cameron Mirochnick (125), Hugo Monge (140) and Felipe Reyes (189) also recorded pins.

In the most-competitive bout of the meet, El Camino Real’s Francisco Jordan improved to 23-7 with a 13-7 decision over Juan Simiano.

San Fernando’s Jesus Arana (160), second in the City last season at 145, dominated Erick Cornejo before recording a pin in 1:46. Arana (23-2) improved to 5-0 in City matches and logged his team-leading 13th pin, nine of which have come in the first period.

“I don’t think I can be defeated,” Arana said. “I won’t lose if I keep doing what I’m doing and working hard every day.”