BAKERSFIELD – The 2023 CIF State boys wrestling championships started last Thursday afternoon at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, and a handful of local male and female wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals.
Lakeside had two of its male wrestlers reach the quarterfinals of the 126-pound weight class, Ryan Lobato and Justin Wells. Lobato advanced after he pulled out a 3-0 decision in a pigtail match, and then registered a pin and major decision in the ensuing rounds. Wells also had to pigtail to start off his day. He opened with an 8-0 major decision, followed by a 6-2 decision. He then advanced to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 decision over Atri Feizi of Concord De La Salle. Wells scored the point with an escape early in the second period.
The 2023 CIF State girls wrestling championships also started last Thursday morning at Mechanics Bank Arena, and a few of the top female wrestlers from the area advanced to the quarterfinals and remain in contention for state championships.
Liberty freshman Anna Bozanic was the top story of the day as she scored the biggest victory in her weight class. Bozanic pinned top-seeded Gemma Templeman of Rocklin in the opening minute of a second-round match in the 235-pound bracket. She also won her opening match via pinfall.
The local area also has two quarter finalists in the 101-pound bracket. Hamilton’s Olivia Lopez recorded first-period pins in each of her first two matches Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals. Lakeside’s Jillian Wells pinned her first opponent and then moved on to the quarterfinals with a 9-6 decision in the second round.
Other female wrestlers include:
- Paloma Valley’s Karissa Turnwall pinned two opponents in the opening minute to reach the 111-pound quarterfinals. Turnwall is the No. 2 seed in the 111-pound division.
- Orange Vista’s Addison Ellis pinned her first opponent in the 131-pound bracket and pulled out a 13-8 decision in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals.
- Temescal Canyon’s Cara Cheng advanced to the 137-pound quarterfinal with a victory by pinfall in the first round and a 4-1 decision in the second round.
Quarterfinal matches took place the following day and will be updated in next week’s issue.
All postseason brackets and updates can be found by going to the top of the CIF Southern Section website at www.cifss.org. Please email sports@reedermedia.com if there are any changes in times, dates and/or sites.
