Nick Wagner defeated Buena’s Julian Ferguson 8-3 in the finals to claim the CIF heavyweight wrestling title Saturday at Pacifica High in Oxnard. It was the first time in four attempts that Wagner had beaten Ferguson.
“It was great. He basically did what we’ve been trying to get him to do all season, and it just really came together,” said coach Anthony Califano.
Wagner won the Channel League title two weeks ago, and will now try to carry the momentum into next weekend’s CIF Masters meet in Temecula.
Fellow Charger Connor Dorais finished in second place in the 160-pound bracket, picking up a big victory in the semifinals over Ventura’s Isaac Archibeque. The two wrestlers had squared off in the Channel League title match previosuly and Dorais ended up leaving the match in an ambulance after sustaining a concussion. Archibeque was initially awarded the league crown before an appeal regarding an illegal throw gave it back to Dorais a few days later.
“It was a first-round pin, which not only got him into the finals but also sort of solidified the league title,” said Califano, who also praised 125-pounder Chuy Lopez for his sixth-place finish.
San Marcos’ Zach Belway will also compete in the Masters after winning a 5-2 decision in the semifinals before being pinned by the top seed in the 171-pound title match. Coach Tony Becerra said that Belway has a good chance of finishing in the top nine next weekend to advance to the State Championships.
Royals heavyweight Luis Urbina ended a stellar junior season by finishing sixth.
