Familiar Foes Prevail Again in City Finals

The El Camino Real High wrestling team won its third consecutive City Section championship and ninth in 14 years on Saturday at Monroe High.

Four wrestlers won individual titles for the Conquistadores, who tallied 220 1/2 points to outdistance second-place San Fernando (98), despite losing four of five bouts against the Tigers in the final round.

Anthony Thomas (171 pounds), Jamar Cargo (189), Sal Flores (152) and Edward Lemus (119) of El Camino Real will advance with 10 other City champions to the state championships next weekend at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Thomas, who pinned San Fernando’s Jose Meza in 1:41, improved to 40-1 with 37 pins and repeated as City champion. Thomas was selected the outstanding wrestler for the upper weights.

Thomas fared poorly at the state meet last year, so he said he’s eager to return.

“I want to change that,” Thomas said. “I checked it out on the Internet and there’s a lot of good guys going.”

Andy Moro of San Fernando will travel to Stockton for the fourth time after winning a fourth consecutive City title. He was selected the outstanding wrestler for the lower weights.

Moro defeated Walter Espinal of Bell, 17-1, in the 135-pound final.

“This one was most important to me because it’s my senior year,” Moro said. “I’m not coming back empty-handed this time.”

San Fernando’s Rick Aguirre (103), Robert Reyes (112), Eddie Moro (140) and Willie German (145) all won championships.

Aguirre and Eddie Moro, Andy’s twin, won championships for the third consecutive year. Moro pinned Matt Welch of El Camino Real in 1:25. German, a freshman, defeated El Camino Real’s Moshe Levy, 13-7.