Four Palisades High wrestlers got a chance to test themselves against the best in California last weekend at the state championhips, held at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
Sophomore James Van Wagenen, who won the City 106-pound title in dominating fashion only five days earlier, got pinned in 1:22 by San Diego Central Catholic’s Victor Ramirez last Thursday in his first match, then got edged 6-5 by Diego Barajas from the St. Francis of the Central Coast Section on Friday in the consolation bracket.
Junior Ryan Woods, the City 132-pound champion, was making his second appearnance in the state meet, having first journeyed north two years ago after winning the City 106-pound division as a freshman. Now competing four weight classes higher he was looking for his first victory at state, but he lost both of his matches. On Thursday, he dropped a 12-3 major decision to Joaquin Arroyo of Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, then lost 4-2 in an elmination bout to Christopher Guizar of San Diego Imperial the next day.
Senior Ben Frizzell, the City runner up at 145, got an at-large bid to state and lost his first match by pin the second period to Matthew Rodriguez from Righetti in the Central Section. On Friday, Frizzell faced Phillip Arroyo of Reedley, another school in the Central Section, and lost by fall just as time ran out in the second period.
Another 12th-grader, Charlie Addis, sought to make noise at 152 pounds after compiling an unbeaten record versus City opponents this winter. Pitted against Gavin Fernandez of Concord De la Salle (a school in the North Coast Section), Addis was pinned in 2:28. In the consolation bracket, he lost a major decision (12-4) to Adrian Juarez of Bakersfield Highland.
Palisades took second in the team standings at City Finals, equaling its highest place ever.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
