AT A GLANCE / Wrestling
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* The Proven: Michael Simpson (Brethren Christian), Sr., 119 pounds, Times’ Orange County wrestler of the year, state champion; Steve Garcia (Brethren Christian), Sr., 130, second at state and should challenge again; Gilbert Melendez (Santa Ana), Sr., 130, helped Santa Ana to a Division II title and went 2-2 at state; Transfer Tony Aparicio (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 140, won titles at Division III and Masters and finished third at state for Loara; Adam Bones (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 125, Division I and Masters champion, took third at state; Orlando Galvan (Loara), Sr., 112, took seventh at state and will fill some of the void left by Aparicio; Andy Tufnell (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 152, just missed making the medal round at state.
* The Promising: Josh Worthington (Irvine), Sr., heavyweight, Sea View League champion, he was only county heavyweight to qualify for state; Robert Valenzuela (Woodbridge), Sr., 125 pounds, won league and took third at Division III finals; Tommy Peralta (Villa Park), Sr., 112, gives Villa Park strength in the lower weights; Alex Becerra (Santa Ana), Sr. 180, was a Division II and Golden West League champion; Travis Monson (Esperanza), Sr., 125, took second in Division II and will make the Aztecs competitive in the Sunset League.
* Preseason Top 10: 1. Calvary Chapel--After disappointing year, the Eagles are back; 2. Santa Ana--Coach Scott Glabb again has a strong team; 3. Irvine--Could be the Vaqueros’ best team; 4. Villa Park--Will challenge El Modena for Century League title; 5. Loara--Will dominate the Empire League; 6. El Modena--A young team; hard work and time will tell; 7. Brethren Christian--Not enough bodies for dual meets, but a killer in tournaments; 8. Magnolia--Anaheim, move over; 9. San Clemente--Should win another South Coast League title; 10. Dana Hills--Will challenge San Clemente.
* Key Dates: Dec. 17, Calvary Chapel at Temecula Valley; Dec. 20-21, Reno Tournament of Champions; Dec. 21-22, Mann Holiday Classic at Santa Ana College; Jan. 5, Villa Park at El Modena; Jan. 7-8, Estancia tournament; Jan. 14-15, Five Counties tournament at Fountain Valley High; Jan. 19, Santa Ana at Calvary Chapel; Jan. 28-29, Canyon Springs tournament; Feb. 12, Southern Section duals; Feb. 18-19, Southern Section individual finals. March 25-26, Masters tournament at Fountain Valley High. March 3-4, State finals at University of the Pacific.
* League Favorites: Century--Villa Park; Empire--Loara; Freeway--Sonora; Garden Grove--Santiago; Golden West--Santa Ana; Olympic--Calvary Chapel; Orange--Magnolia; Pacific Coast--Estancia; Sea View--Irvine; Serra--Mater Dei; South Coast--San Clemente; Sunset--Fountain Valley.
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