The CIF-Southern Section Boys Wrestling Championships lit up local wrestling programs as Temecula Valley and Lakeside surged to take home team titles, cementing their legacy as wrestling powerhouses. With relentless action and standout performances, these teams demonstrated their dominance and brought excitement to the mats.
Temecula Valley High School extended its storied tradition by overpowering the competition at the Inland Division tournament held at Great Oak High School. Scoring an impressive 242 points—32 ahead of runner-up Northview—the Golden Bears claimed their 40th section championship, the 22nd in individual tournament format. Adding to their haul of 18 dual-meet championships, Temecula Valley’s trophy room welcomes yet another accolade.
Individually, Gabriel Lemos led the charge with a flawless run to his second consecutive section title at 144 pounds. Not only did Lemos secure his victories with two pins and a pair of technical falls, but he also refused to surrender a single point across his five bouts. He earned a hard-fought 6-0 decision against Brandon Buzzard of La Serna in the finals.
Teammates Ashton Lassig and Noah Watkins also rose to the occasion, delivering exceptional performances. Lassig pinned all five of his opponents, wrapping up the 175-pound final in just 44 seconds. Watkins, with mastery on display, claimed the 215-pound title with four pins, including a decisive first-period win in the championship bout. Temecula Valley successfully advanced seven wrestlers to the upcoming CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet, solidifying its reputation for producing elite talent.
Meanwhile, the Chaparral Pumas also had a strong showing, finishing fourth in the standings and advancing five wrestlers to the Masters Meet.
On another front, Lakeside delivered an electrifying performance at the Eastern Division tournament at Ayala High School. Scoring 253 points, the Lancers secured their first individual tournament section team championship and finished 40.5 points ahead of Walnut. The team also sent eight wrestlers to the Masters Meet, demonstrating depth and skill on the mats.
Five Lakeside wrestlers ascended to the top of their respective weight classes. Axel Esparza, a returning champion, pinned Matthew Palacios of Walnut in the 144-pound final. Madrid Ladines grabbed the 106-pound crown with a commanding 13-5 major decision, while Erik Quintero brought home the 132-pound title with a 9-1 major victory. Jesus Guzman was unstoppable in the 157-pound bracket, pinning all five of his opponents, including a first-period win in the final. Isaiah Rea rounded out the champions for Lakeside, securing the 165-pound title with a first-period pin.
Additionally, standout performances came from Paloma Valley’s Javon Major, who dominated the 175-pound bracket with a decisive 15-5 major decision in the finals. At West Valley High School, Gabriel Barragan joined his sister Samantha as a section champion, capturing the 190-pound title with a commanding 17-3 victory.
The girls’ competition was equally riveting, with local athletes making history across weight classes. Corona’s Kylie Martinez earned the 125-pound title with a 7-3 decision over Chaparral’s Skyler Ellingworth. Vista Murrieta’s Maiyah Bradley succumbed to Fontana’s Solomua in the 145-pound final, where Solomua demonstrated complete dominance by pinning all five of her foes in the first round.
Roosevelt High School celebrated its first-ever girls champions, as Emma Goodland and Sophia Cardenas emerged victorious at 120 and 135 pounds, respectively. Goodland’s 7-4 decision over Santa Ana’s Anabelle Serratos and Cardenas’ commanding 12-2 major decision over Kaitlyn Krenz from Temecula Valley marked historic moments for the Mustangs.
Chaparral High School’s Alyssa Campos bolstered her program’s accolades by pinning Centennial’s Olivia Rodriguez in the 155-pound final, becoming the Pumas’ first section champion with pins in all five bouts.
Orange Vista’s Zahra Stewart joined the elite club of three-time champions, capturing the 120-pound title with a second-period pin. Lakeside’s Jillian Wells also stood out, pinning her way to her second Southern Section title at 100 pounds, showcasing the dominance of local talent in the girls’ division.
Next up, the CIF State Wrestling Championships will be held at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 1. Information on details of the State Tournament can be found on the CIF State website, www.cifstate.org.
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