Santa Barbara’s Bryce Vinion and Chad Lampe of Dos Pueblos repeated as champions and Chargers Yaskin Solano and Rudy Cortes captured their first titles Saturday at the Channel League wrestling championships at Santa Barbara High’s J.R. Richards Gym.
Ventura, the dual meet champion, won nine individual titles to lead all teams.
The top three finishers at the meet qualified for the CIF Prelims on Feb. 17. Dos Pueblos will send eight wrestlers into the postseason, San Marcos four and Santa Barbara two.
Vinion, who won the 191-pound title last year, dropped a weight class and captured the crown at 182 pounds with a pin against Jake Badilla of Ventura. Vinion was leading 4-0 in the second period when he got his arm around Badilla’s neck and pulled him on his back for the pin in the final match in his home gym.
It was proud moment for the senior and his father, Jeff, who is his coach and the team’s coach. Jeff gave his son a big bear hug after the victory.
“As a father I’m really proud. As a coach, I’m really proud,” said Jeff Vinion. “When he took the guy down the first time, I knew it was over. It was just matter of taking him down again and setting him up.”
Bryce said he’s proud to have his dad as coach in his senior year. “This is our thing. This is what makes us father and son.”
Vinion will be joined by Dons teammate Mario Elias at the CIF Prelims. Elias finished third at 106 pounds.
It was big moment for Santa Barbara wrestling.
“Our program is very small,” Jeff Vinion said. “We really have to struggle to get kids out. I think this is good advertising for bringing more kids in next year and see what kids in Santa Barbara can do, just like all the other Channel League schools.”
Cortes dug deep to pull out a thrilling win over Ventura’s Alfredo Cruz in the last seconds of third period. Giving up at least four inches in height, the 5-9 Cortes earned an escape point to break a scoreless match at 220 pounds. He then scored a two-point take down and won 3-0.
“I needed a takedown because I knew I could finish it with a takedown,” Cortes said.
Asked how it felt winning a Channel League title, Cortes pointed out that he’s a two-time league champ.
“This is my second Channel League championship. Last year, I beat Ventura in football, so I’m and individual and a team (champion),” he said.
DP’s Yaskin Solano won in a technical fall against Buena’s Victor Varela, 16-1. As is his style, Solano came out charging like a bull and overpowered Varela.
“It feels good, all the hard work paid off and I’m happy I’m here,” said Solano.
Asked about his aggressive, no-fear style, Solano said, “I don’t let a man put fear in my heart, so I got to put it in theirs.”
He has high expectations for CIF, setting a goal to finish in the top three.
Lampe also has high CIF goals. The junior 120-pounder said he’s seen most of the competition at big tournaments and knows what to expect.
“I’ve been to the big tournaments and I think I’m definitely ready,” Lampe said. “I know we have two state-ranked kids in my weight class and I’m ready to get after it.”
Lampe wrestled against Sean Birkimer, the younger brother of graduated Ventura wrestler Patrick Birkimer, who he beat last year for the league title.
“It was pretty cool … got to keep wrestling in the family. It’s cool, but I’m kind of tired of Birkimers coming at me,” he said with a laugh.
Lampe tried a risky move that had him on his back for an instant, but he regained control with his quickness and savvy.
“I tried to do a peak-out and (Birkimer) caught my shoulder and almost got me on my back. I was lucky to scramble out of it,” he said.
He was in command the rest of the way and rolled to 15-4 victory for another gold medal.
Channel League Finals Results
106 pounds—Fabien Aguilar, B pinned Jimmy Borrelli, V, 5:55
115—Jonathon Morales, B, dec. Cameron Cox, DP, 11-6
120—Chad Lampe, DP, dec. Sean Birkimer, V, 15-4
126—Josh Guerrero, V, pinned Nico Sorenson, DP, 3:45
132—Austin Saito, V, dec. Curtis Gibson, B, 16-3
138—Kamwren Aiken, V, dec. Carson Holoien, DP, 5-3 OT
145—Mike Ledesma, V, dec. Malcolm Cellard-Farrell 10-4
152—Jack Sartee, V, dec. Nico Martinez, DP, 9-0
160—Jon McCrary, V, dec. Arran Leon,B, 4-1
170—Yaskin Solano, DP, def. Victor Varela, B, tech. fall, 16-1
182—Bryce Vinion, SB, pinned Jack Badilla B, 3:00
195—Victor Arroyo, V, dec. Donny Ahmadian, DP, 11-3
220—Rudy Cortes, DP, dec. Alfredo Cruz, V, 3-0
HWT—Fernando Perez, V, pinned Juan Hernandez, B, 1:40
Third-Place Finishers
106—Mario Elias, SB
113—Justin Ledesma, V
120—Jordan Davis, B
126—Hustin Bach, B
132—Frank Carmona, SM
138—Joseph Mendez, B
145—Chris Marquez, B
152—William Hewes, SM
160—Francisco Ramirez, SM
170—Mario Arechiga, V
182—Michael Sena, B
195—Pablo Barran, B
220—Nick Justiniano, B
HWT—Jonathan Natteras, SM
