Chuy Lopez punched his ticket for the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield next weekend after finishing in eighth place in the 135-pound bracket of the CIF Masters Meet in Temecula Valley on Saturday.
Lopez, who has been battling nagging injuries such as a bruised hip, was held out of his final match by coach Anthony Califano so that he could rest.
“We already knew he had qualified. This is a big deal for our program. He is a hard-worker, and out of all the guys you’d like to go he deserves it the most,” said Califano.
Connor Dorais was the only Charger to make it to the State Meet last year.
Lopez’s biggest win game in a 7-5 decision over a Laguna Hills opponent which included a 5-point takedown that ended up deciding the bout.
