GABRIEL RIZK
STAFF WRITER (Full story available at the link on the bottom of the page.)
It could be a big weekend for area upper-weights David Eubanks (285) of Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon, David VanWeems (220) of Corona Centennial and Tristin Sutton (195) of Hemet. All three reached the Masters finals, and the latter two won titles.
Sutton, ranked No. 8 in the state, was on fire at Masters, dominating his competition and defeating No. 7 Karson Block of Atascadero, the only Southern Section wrestler ranked above him in state. The Bulldogs senior will be looking to place for the first time in his second state appearance in a division that many figure is No. 1-ranked Austin Flores’ to lose. The Clovis North senior is the Doc Buchanan Invitational and Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt champion.
No. 11 Van Weems, a senior, is coming off his second straight Masters title, but is also looking for his first trip to the state podium. Undefeated Poway senior Liam Sorham is the favorite to win the 220 title, but the division is stacked even at the secondary tiers, with an experienced group of multiple-time state qual ifiers also jockeying for placement.
The heavyweight division could be the most wide open of the upper weights, giving Eubanks, a senior, an outside chance to place in his first trip to state if he can keep up his recent momentum.
Senior Caleb Wilson (No. 9 at 160) of Hemet and junior Johnny Arreola (120) of Riverside La Sierra and Robert Castro of Bloomington (195) will also look to make a run at state after finishing as runners-up at Masters.
WRESTLING | TOP 10
1. Temecula Valley: Tied for ninth at the Masters Meet on Saturday with one champion and two state qualifiers.
2. Perris Citrus Hill: Placed 11th at Masters but led all area programs with four state qualifiers.
3. Hemet: Fifth-place finish at Masters was an area best, claimed one title and qualified two to state.
4. Corona Santiago: Finished sixth at Masters, tied with Hemet for area-best two finalists and moved three on to state.
5. Bloomington: Tied for ninth at Masters and qualified two for state.
6. Eastvale Roosevelt: Took 12th at Masters and qualified three for state.
7. Moreno Valley Canyon Springs: Finished 14th at Masters with two state qualifiers.
8. Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon: Placed 18th at Masters with two state qualifiers.
9. Yucaipa: Finished 16th at Masters with one champion and two state berths.
10. Vista Murrieta: Moved two on to state after finishing 23rd at Masters. Others considered: Riverside King; Riverside La Sierra; Corona Centennial; Elsinore