FOUNTAIN VALLEY — Even after losing two of their best wrestlers to graduation and having another sidelined with an injury, the Fountain Valley boys wrestling team showed it is still formidable enough to compete on the same mat against some of the best teams in the state.

Fountain Valley 215-pounder Khale McDonnell finished first and was among nine Barons to score among the top eight and finish in fourth place as a team with 217.5 points.

Buchanan, the No. 2-ranked team in the state, finished first with 291 points. St. John Bosco, the state’s No. 1-ranked team, finished second with 284.5 points and Gilroy, the state’s fourth ranked team, scored 258 points to place third.

The Fountain Valley boys wrestling team poses for a group photo after finishing in fourth place at the prestigious Five Counties meet on Saturday, Jan. 18. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

“The top teams in the state are here and we are right up there with them,” Barons coach Brad Woodbury said.

McDonnell, who is ranked No. 2 in the state in his weight class, was in control throughout his major decision victory, 13-3, over third-ranked Wes Buford of Oakdale.

“I’m glad I was able to come here and get the job done and get a dominant victory over No. 3,” said McDonnell, who has committed to wrestle at Oregon State, where he will join his brother T.J. McDonnell, who won a CIF State Championship at 182 in 2023. “Securing the win was definitely great.”

McDonnell also defeated Buford for fifth place at 190 at the 2024 CIF State Championships.

“I absolutely want to win it this year,” McDonnell said.

Fountain Valley’s Mikel David Uyemura finished second in the 157-pound weight class in the Five Counties wrestling tournament Saturday, Jan. 18. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

Fountain Valley’s Mikel David Uyemura (157), a transfer from San Marino, and Christian Stoeber (165) both reached the finals, but both finished second in their respective matches.

“I’ve noticed I’ve made a lot of progression,” Stoeber said, “It’s all mentality for me. I’ve noticed I’ve made a lot of improvement in that aspect.”

Fountain Valley’s Christian Stoeber finished in second place in the 165-pound division of the Five Counties tournament Saturday, Jan. 18. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

The Barons’ Hunter Jauregui (113 pounds), who is ranked No. 9 in the state, lost a close match in the semifinals, 4-0 to St. John Bosco’s Aaron Meza.

Jauregui came back to earn a 19-4, technical fall victory over Ricardo Ortiz of Brawley Union to finish third.

The Barons were without 2024 Masters champion Primo Catalano (190) and Vinnie Gutierrez (138), who were both sidelined with injuries.

Newport Harbor’s Demian Pryima, who is ranked No. 1 in the county at 144, also reached the finals, but was defeated 20-4 by St. John Bosco’s Michael Romero.

Pryima said he feels less pressure going up against highly ranked wrestlers.

“When you wrestle guys that are good but that you’re better, you’ve got that pressure,” Pryima said. “You’re thinking about not losing. But once you get to the good guys, you can wrestle all out. You’ve got nothing to lose. It was a good day today.”

County wrestlers who finished third in their division included Kavi Garvey of Dana Hills (126), Vince Partington of Cypress (144) and Kash Talauega of Villa Park (175).

Related Articles