Lakewood High School junior Kimo Napohaku (135) and Wilson senior Miguel Peralta (171) claimed dramatic CIF-Southern Section Central Division Individual titles, while Millikan standout Nick Pena fell in the 152-pound title match.
Napohaku (45-4) beat Eduardo Velasquez (Magnolia), 3-1, in overtime to cap what’s been a remarkable two-year run for the popular and hard-working Lancer. He went 5-0 this weekend at Godinez High School in Santa Ana, winning two via pin fall and three decisions.
The emotion built up for Napohaku after shaking Velasquez’ hand. He was being congratulated by his teammates and coaches when the Lakewood captain walked briskly around the gym and up into the stands to give his parents, Alex and Evalie, a huge hug.
“It is an amazing feeling to know everything you’ve sacrificed and all the work you’ve put in can pay off like this,” Napohaku said. “My family has been behind me every step of the way and I wanted to get up there (in the stands) and share this with them.”
“I think the difference between this year and last year is that Kimo is forcing the issue with his opponents and not just reacting to what his opponent does,” Lakewood assistant coach Duy Tran said. “He is a very special wrestler and kid and his growth has been fun to watch. If he wrestles the way he’s capable of next week, there’s no reason to think he shouldn’t qualify for state.”
Napohaku is someone both Poly coach Bart Roper and Millikan coach Marshall Thompson say “is someone who represents his school, his sport and the Moore League with class and honor,” and both coaches were more than happy to see their rival win a CIF title.
Cody Gurule (130) had to beat La Mirada’s Marcus Vargas, 8-2, in a win-or-go-home match that earned the Lancers junior a spot at Masters by finishing fifth. Nathan Batres (140) defeated Norwalk’s Louis Gonzalez by pin fall at 4:50 to take a third place finish. Napohaku, Gurule and Batres will represent the Lakewood contingency at the Masters Meet this coming weekend in Temecula.
Peralta had arguably the most exciting match of the night, when trailing 5-1 to Troy’s Robin Kim, the senior scored late to win a 9-7 decision. The CIF Individual title is believed to be the first in Wilson High history, according to Bruins coach Seth Wegter.
“It was really important to me that everyone knew that Wilson High produces high-quality wrestling and to win a CIF title in just my second year of wrestling is an incredible feeling,” Peralta said. “I was up against a very tough opponent, but I have the heart of a lion and I wasn’t about to give up now.”
Peralta’s 160-pound teammate, Josh Newman, finished fifth by defeating Millikan’s Nick Arroyo, 6-2, to earn his spot at Masters.
“I am elated that Miguel found a way to dig down deep and win a championship, but I am also just as proud of Josh for fighting and earning a spot at Masters,” Wegter said.
Pena had a bittersweet weekend, by going 4-1 with three pins, but his 9-6 loss to Magnolia’s Alfredo Nava-Arroyo in the finals left the Millikan captain stunned.
Pena’s semifinal pin over Tustin’s Chase Cunningham gave the Rams’ career pin record holder his 100th of his brilliant career.
“I know Nick is down and we’re disappointed he didn’t win, but he’s done so much to be proud of,” Millikan coach Marshall Thompson said. “Nick is a very bright kid and a perfectionist and I’m hoping he’ll use this experience as a wake up call in time for Masters and hopefully for state as well.”
The Rams finished in third place as a team, behind El Dorado and Calvary Chapel Santa Ana. Millikan’s 215-pound Sam Taylor pinned Magnolia’s James Acosta at 4:45 to take third. The junior went 4-1 and lost his only match in triple-overtime to second-seeded Ben Harwich of San Marino, 4-3. Jaime Reyes (145) dropped an 8-6 overtime decision to Sonora’s Brady Flores on the first day, and to show his heart and perseverance, Reyes beat Flores, 3-1, on Saturday, to claim third place.
Reyes ended Poly stud Jesus Preciado’s career with an 11-6 victory over the Jackrabbits’ standout. The Rams’ Jake Wallace (135) finished fifth and qualified for Masters by defeating Fullerton’s Ferdaws Ashrait, 10-2.
Wallace lost to Napohaku in the semifinals on Saturday, and went 0-3 this year versus the Lakewood captain, but the happy-go-lucky Wallace will be ready to go next weekend in Temecula. Rickie Touch (119) finished fourth for Poly in a weekend that was tough for the Jackrabbits senior.
Touch’s 130-pound twin brother, Richie, had earned his CIF spot at the Moore League Individuals, but Richie got a staph infection on his elbow and wasn’t able to compete at an event (CIF) that he’d worked so hard to make it to.
The loyalty and love the Touch brothers and their coach, Bart Roper share is undeniable.
Despite being devastated by not being able to compete, Richie Touch stood against the barrier that separated the crowd from the wrestlers and screamed for his brother and best friend until the end.
It was also tough for Roper to see Jesus Preciado lose, after battling through injury all year and yet coming so close to qualifying for Masters.
“I love all my kids here at Poly, but I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for Jesus Preciado, because he trusted me and believed in me and I hope I made a difference in his career and life,” Roper said. “I hope that for as long as I coach that I can get kids with Jesus’ heart, courage and competitive nature and I look forward to watching him grow into a successful young man.”
The Long Beach area wrestling scene produced three other champions.
Warren’s 103-pound Damien Gomez won a CIF-SS Southern Division title by pinning all five of his opponents by pin fall. Gomez (49-0, 36 pins) is the area’s only undefeated wrestler and is the LB area’s best shot at a state champion. Gomez was named the lower-weight MVP in Temecula. Downey’s Brandon McDonald (40-3) won the 171-pound weight class at the Southern Division Individuals at Chaparral High in Temecula for the fourth-place Vikings. McDonald’s pin of West Covina’s Raymond Medina at 1:29 not only captured his first CIF Individual title, but tied his brother, Jonathan McDonald’s single-season pin record of 31 pins at Downey.
Calvary Chapel Downey’s Bradford Gerl (130) went 5-0 to claim his first CIF Eastern Division title a year after finishing second at the Central Division Individuals. Gerl is 37-6 and is looking to advance to state for the second consecutive year.