Calvary Chapel Holds On

Brethren Christian gave notice Wednesday night that the Olympic League is no longer under the Eagles’ grip.

And even though top-ranked Calvary Chapel edged No. 5 Brethren Christian, 35-30, at the Olympic League wrestling duals at Warrior Center in Cypress, it was clear that years of domination by the Eagles is becoming a thing of the past.

“We were only a match away from beating them [Calvary Chapel],” Brethren Christian Coach Mark Cody said. “I think we have proved that we’re a lot better than our fifth-place ranking.”

For Calvary Chapel, defending state champion, this was the third dual meet this season that the upper weights decided the outcome. But unlike meets against Temecula Valley and Santa Ana--which were determined on the mat--the Eagles won three of the last four matches Wednesday by forfeit.

“We had to forfeit four matches, and that was a big factor,” Cody said. “But it’s the closet meet we’ve ever had with them. And I think things might be a bit different at league finals.”

The Eagles were missing 112-pounder Adam Bones, who was out because of an injury, and Josh Saul at 215. Both are ranked first in the county.

On the upside, recent Covina Centennial transfer Ben Nakamura, who missed the first part of the season because of a hip injury, was back in the Eagles’ lineup at 154 pounds. He won his match against Vince Steger in a technical fall, 23-7.

Michael Simpson, one of Brethren Christian’s top two wrestlers, had a tough go with Calvary Chapel’s Steve Esparza at 114 pounds. Simpson, a sophomore who was a runner-up at the Five Counties meet last week, won his match, 5-3. Pat Cadwallader, who was second at Five Counties, won by technical fall over Fidel Archuleta at 142 pounds.

Calvary Chapel also defeated Downey Calvary Chapel and Orange Lutheran, 83-0. Brethren Christian beat Orange Lutheran, 60-18, and Downey Calvary Chapel, 57-12.

In the Sea View League:

El Toro 55, Santa Margarita 24--Derek Simmons pinned Brian Rayburn in 1 minute 42 seconds at 132 pounds to help keep El Toro (4-0) tie for first place with Irvine. At 147 pounds, Ryan Bortolussi pinned Santa Margarita’s Hagen Green in 1:07.

El Toro will host Irvine on Tuesday.