Area City Wrestlers Favored

Wrestlers from the Valley League are expected to dominate in the City Section finals at El Camino Real High on Saturday.

But that notion is not a surprise to many observers.

Saturday’s competition involves the top four wrestlers from the Valley and City leagues and has been dominated by Valley League wrestlers over the years.

Competition begins at noon and the championship finals are expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. The champion from each weight class qualifies for the state championships next weekend at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.

If Saturday’s championships end as expected, as many as 11 wrestlers from the Valley League will compete in the state championships.

San Fernando’s Oswaldo Ramirez (112), Ignacio Emerick (152), Juan Perez (171) and Jerry Anaya (189) make the Tigers a contender for the title. Ramirez, a senior, won consecutive City titles at 98 pounds the previous two seasons.

Other strong entrants include El Camino Real’s David Duran (103 pounds), Chris Uchida (125) and Ted Glider (140). William Fort (130), Rafael Palacios (135), David Lakatta (160) and heavyweight Keith Jardine give Canoga Park a strong lineup.