AT A GLANCE / Wrestling
* The Proven: Orlando Galvan (Loara), Sr., 112 pounds, ranked first in the nation and won a state title at 103 last year; Anthony Rodriguez (Calvary Chapel), Sr. 112, a pivotal performer in Brethren Christian’s lower weights last season, the transfer student will add to the Eagles’ powerhouse lineup; Josh Galvan (Loara), Sr., 125, third at section Division III finals, will help make Loara a competitive tournament team; Doug Yadon (Villa Park), Sr., 125 pounds, a state qualifier who fell short of expectations last season should be back strong this season; Steve Esparza (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 130, took second at state to Brethren Christian’s Michael Simpson, who is now at Arizona State; Frank Gill (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 135, section Division I and Olympic League champion gives the Eagles strength in the middleweights; Brian LaMay (Capistrano Valley), Sr., 145, South Coast League and section Division I champion just missed placing at state; Osvaldo Avalos (Santa Ana), Sr., 152, a state qualifier who has the potential to medal at state; Willie Parks (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 171, has bulked up from last season at Villa Park, jumping up two weight classes; Conan Williams (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 189, who has signed with Michigan State, took first at the section Division I finals and fourth at state; Wyatt Howard (Santa Ana), Sr., 189, another transfer who was runner-up at Southern Section Division II finals and finished fifth at Masters for Irvine; Jimmy Becerra (Santa Ana), Sr., 189, Golden West League champion who qualified for state last season.
* The Promising: Mario Estrada (Calvary Chapel), So., 103, an age-group national champion; Travis Featherstone (Villa Park), So., 103, took fourth in the Georgia state finals last year; Toyo Kimura (Los Alamitos), Sr., 112, first in Sunset League and sixth at Division II finals; Evan Markstrum (Troy), 135, returning Freeway League champion; Joe Williams (Calvary Chapel), So., 160, ranked first in the preseason rankings, he moves up from the junior varsity where he was 21-1 last season; Justin Boulais (Calvary Chapel), Sr., 215, took third at section Division III last season; Ed Arvizo (Santa Ana), Sr., heavyweight, possibly the best of the county’s heavyweights.
* Preseason Top 10: 1. Calvary Chapel--Has a good shot to win a record seventh state title. 2. Santa Ana--An experienced team that only lost two of its starters. 3. Villa Park--Lost its top wrestler to Calvary Chapel, but the Spartans are still contenders; 4. El Modena--Coach Alan Clinton continues winning tradition; 5. Dana Hills--Coach Reza Abedi continues to build a fine program; 6. Irvine--Losses to graduation and transfers, but Vaqueros are still solid; 7. Loara--With the Galvan brothers, should do well in tournaments: 8. Laguna Hills--Will battle Irvine for Sea View League title; 9. El Dorado--Could knock off Loara for league title; 10. San Clemente--Six returning starters and plenty of depth.
* Key Dates: Dec. 5, Temecula Valley, Loara at Villa Park; Dec. 8-9, Clovis Shoot-out at Clovis West HS; Dec. 13, Villa Park at El Modena; Dec. 21-22, Reno Tournament of Champions; Dec. 22-23, Mann Holiday Classic at Santa Ana College; Jan. 5-6, Orange Glenn tournament; Jan. 5-6, Estancia tournament; Jan. 5-6, Brute Ayala Classic at Chino Hills Ayala HS; Jan. 12-13, Five Counties tournament at Fountain Valley HS; Jan. 20, San Clemente Rotary; Jan. 26-27, California Invitational, at Morro Bay HS; Feb. 1, Calvary Chapel at Santa Ana HS; Feb. 10, Southern Section duals; Feb. 16-17, Southern Section individual finals; Feb. 23-24, Masters tournament at Fountain Valley HS. March 2-3, State finals at University of the Pacific.
* League Favorites: Century--El Modena; Empire--Loara; Freeway--Sonora; Garden Grove--Santiago; Golden West--Santa Ana; Olympic--Calvary Chapel; Orange--Magnolia; Pacific Coast--University; Sea View--Irvine; Serra--Mater Dei; South Coast--San Clemente; Sunset--Los Alamitos.
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.