Fountain Valley’s boys wrestling team is off to a hot start.
The Barons finished third in a deep field at the Cossarek Classic at Westminster High this past weekend. The Cossarek Classic annually is one of California’s top early-season tournaments.
Fountain Valley is the highest-ranked Orange County boys team in the California rankings compiled by CalGrappler.com. The Barons are No. 13 on the state list that has Buchanan of Clovis No. 1 and St. John Bosco at No. 6.
“This could be one of our better teams,” said Brad Woodbury, in his 23rd season coaching Barons wrestling. “We probably have more top-notch athletes than we’ve had before.”
Fountain Valley senior TJ McDonnell was the Cossarek meet champion at his weight class of 182 pounds. He was third at that weight in the CIF State Championships last season after winning the CIF Southern Section Central Division title.
McDonnell, also a winner at the CIF-SS Masters Meet, is No. 1 at 182 pounds in CalGrappler.com’s state individual rankings.
“TJ is just a hard worker,” Woodbury said. “He wants to be the first state champion we’ve had at Fountain Valley. He trains like a madman.”
Hercules Windrath of Fountain Valley was the Cossarek champion at 152 pounds. The Barons’ Ryland Whitworth was the Cossarek champion at 195 pounds, the weight in which he was a CIF-SS champion last season.
Hunter Jauregui of Fountain Valley finished third in the 106-pound division. The Barons’ Liam Qureshi was second at 113 pounds, Matthew Phillips finished sixth at 120, Jaden Reid was sixth at 132 and Cain Elroy was fifth at 220.
NOTES
El Dorado junior Isaiah Quintero is wrestling at 113 pounds this season. He was state champion at 106 pounds last season and was the Orange County boys wrestler of the year. …
This week’s boys wrestling schedule includes the Mann Classic at Servite on Friday and the San Clemente Rotary Tournament at San Clemente High on Saturday. …
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Marina’s girls wrestling team is No. 3 in the CIF-SS rankings. El Toro is No. 8 in that combined Divisions 1 and 2 top 10 that has Northview at No. 1. …
The CIF-SS boys dual meet championships are Jan. 28. The CIF-SS boys and girls Individual championships are Feb. 10-11 at various locations. … The CIF-SS Masters Meet for boys and girls wrestlers is Feb. 18 at Palm Springs High. … The CIF State meet for boys and girls wrestling is Feb. 23-25 in Bakersfield.