two over No. 3 Alec Gamboa of Madera and a technical fall win over No. 4-ranked Beltran. It’s possible one of Fiegener’s toughest tests could come from his own section, as Gonzalez owns four tournament wins and a win over Mission San Jose champ AJ Nevills of Clovis.
195
■ THE FAVORITE: Gabriel Gonzalez (Washington Union-Fresno), Sr. ■ NORCAL’S TOP CONTENDER: Clayton Hartwell (James Logan) Sr. ■ NORCAL’S DARK HORSE: Joey Banks (Franklin-Elk Grove), Sr. ■ PREDICTED CHAMP: La Costa Canyon-Carlsbad’s Ian Baker. Gonzalez is ranked No. 1 going into section weekend, a ranking based largely off results at 220 pounds, but Baker’s resume is equally impressive, with a runner-up finish at the Reno TOC and wins at the Cerritos TOC and Temecula Valley. Hartwell enters the NCS meet fresh off the Colts’ NCS dual championship and a title of his own at Mission San Jose.
Jeramy Sweany, Vacaville. James K. Leash file photo
220
■ THE FAVORITE: Jeramy Sweany (Vacaville), Sr. ■ SWEANY’S TOUGHEST CHALLENGER: Victor Raigoza (Orland), Sr. ■ NORCAL’S DARK HORSE: Graham Grant (Saratoga), Sr. ■ PREDICTED CHAMP: Sweany. The Vacaville senior broke through for his first state title last year at 195 pounds. He’s backed that up this year with wins at the Chukchansi Invitational, Reno TOC, Temecula Valley and Puma Classic. Raigoza owns several wins in the Northern Section, including the Corning Invitational and he is a state placer already, having finished fifth last year at heavyweight. Defending champion Derrick Jones of Bloomington has missed the season due to a back injury.
285
■ THE FAVORITE: Nick Nevills (Clovis), Sr. ■ NORCAL’S TOP CONTENDER: Jake Minshew (Casa Roble-Orangevale), Jr. ■ NORCAL’S DARK HORSE: Daniel Mendoza (Archbishop Mitty-San Jose), Sr. ■ PREDICTED CHAMP: Nevills. Clovis’ big man returns for his senior season with two state titles and a third-place finish to his credit. He has five wins this year, including the Doc Buchanan, Alliance Top Gun in Ohio and Mission San Jose. Minshew isn’t the top-ranked NorCal wrestler (Fremont-Sunnyvale’s Gary Miltenberger is No. 5), but Casa Roble’s junior heavyweight has six tournament titles already this year.
TEAM
■ THE FAVORITE: Clovis ■ NORCAL’S TOP CONTENDER: Gilroy ■ NORCAL’S DARK HORSE: Vacaville ■ PREDICTED CHAMP: Clovis. This one isn’t close. The Cougars have won the last three state team titles and already have eight team championships this year. Poway will do its best to get into the mix, and Gilroy and Vacaville should battle for NorCal’s top spot. ✪
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March 2014
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