Castaneda 4th, Bonebright 5th in State Wrestling
STOCKTON — Alemany High’s James Castaneda and Thousand Oaks’ Tim Bonebright finished fourth and fifth in their respective weight class Saturday in the championship finals of the State wrestling tournament at the University of Pacific’s Spanos Center.
At 112 pounds, Castaneda, ranked fourth by California Wrestler magazine, lost a 5-2 decision in a third-place match. Bonebright was fifth at 145 pounds.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel won its second consecutive State wrestling title Saturday night.
Calvary Chapel dominated the two-day meet to the point that the Eagles had the championship wrapped up before the final round began. Calvary Chapel sent eight wrestlers to State and three to the finals, where they all won their weight classes. The Eagles finished with a State-record 120.5 points. Runner-up Moreno Valley Canyon Springs produced 81.5 points and two champions--brothers Norman Abs (103 pounds) and Stephen Abs (112).
Calvary Chapel had a hard time winning the fans’ hearts. After defending State champion Dane Valdez--the heavy favorite to add the 125-pound ribbon to last year’s 119--was upset in the morning semifinals, fans roared their approval.
It didn’t get nicer when brother Shane Valdez won the 119 title and was booed for his defensive stance.
Josh Holiday (145) and Ed Mosley (152) also won titles for Calvary Chapel.
Moreno Valley Canyon Springs’ brothers Norman (103) and Stephen (112) Abs became the first brothers to win State titles since Merced High’s Adam and Dan Cuestas did it in 1977.
Other individuals victors included two-time winners Eric Guerrero (130) of San Jose Independence and Casey Strand (189) of Pleasant Hill College Park, Artemio Flores (125) of Union City James Logan and Juan Alvarez (135) of Orange El Modena.
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