DIVISION VI WRESTLING FINALS: HIGHLAND WINS SECTION TITLE IKIHIHIFO'S FINAL PIN CLINCHES TEAM'S FIRST CROWN SINCE 1997.Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer PALMDALE - Poasi Ikihihifo danced around the mat and proudly pointed an index finger in the air. Then he put both hands on his head and reflected on the moment before being mobbed by his Highland High of Palmdale wrestling teammates. Ikihihifo had just given his teammates a lot to celebrate. His pin over Charter Oak High of Covina wrestler Juan Silva was the difference Saturday for host Highland in a 39-18 Southern Section Division VI championship title-clinching victory that was much closer than the final score indicated. Entering the heavyweight match, the second-to-last in the competition, Highland led 27-18. But just before Ikihihifo pinned his opponent in 1:34, he himself was lying on his back, barely avoiding a pin that would have pulled the Chargers to within 27-24 with their strongest wrestler, Ronald Flores Flores, town, Guatemala Flores (flōrəs), town (1990 est. pop. 2,200), capital of Petén department, N Guatemala. Flores was built on an island in the southern part of Lake Petén Itzá and on the site of the (107), yet to compete. Because the last match didn't figure in the outcome, Flores forfeited for·feit n. 1. Something surrendered or subject to surrender as punishment for a crime, an offense, an error, or a breach of contract. 2. Games a. his match to Paul Petros. ``I was on my back, and he was squeezing hard,'' Ikihihifo said. ``But he was over my shoulder, and I turned him over and pinned him. That's something I've been working on in practice.'' Highland, which lost to Golden League rival Littlerock in the Division VI championships last season, won its first sectional title since 1997 and second in school history. ``It was a heroic effort,'' Highland coach Mike Young said of Ikihihifo. ``But there were a lot of heroes tonight.'' Among the Bulldogs' standouts were Jeremiah McGuffee (164) and Jess Garcia (219), who recorded pins. Top-seeded Highland (36-2) concluded its season as a team with 35 consecutive victories. The Bulldogs defeated Garden Grove Garden Grove, city (1990 pop. 143,050), Orange co., S Calif., a suburb of Long Beach and Los Angeles, on the Santa Ana River; founded 1877, inc. 1956. Many of its residents work in nearby aerospace and defense installations, and there is light manufacturing. 56-12 in the semifinals Saturday and Crespi of Encino 75-6 in the quarterfinals. They opened the day with a 56-12 victory over South Pasadena South Pasadena (păs'ədē`nə), city (1990 pop. 23,936), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles; inc. 1888. Medical supplies, clothing, and transportation and electronic equipment are manufactured. . Charter Oak (18-4), which lost to Highland in last season's sectional semifinal, was making its first appearance in the championships. Ikihihifo (34-8), who was 3-0 on the day, is among 14 Highland wrestlers See
Three other area schools - defending champion defending champion n (SPORT) → defensor/a m/f del título defending champion n (Sport) → champion(ne) en titre Littlerock, Quartz Hill and Crespi - reached the quarterfinals. In the title match, Highland trailed 15-12 when McGuffee pinned his opponent in 1:16 to give his team an 18-15 lead. Charter Oak's Gabe Balcazar (175) scored a 3-1 decision over Ryan Cowan to tie the match. But Phil Matthews (193) won a narrow 7-6 decision to break the tie, and Garcia pinned his opponent in 3:27 to give Highland a 27-18 lead, setting up Ikihihifo for the clincher clinch·er n. 1. One that clinches, as: a. A nail, screw, or bolt for clinching. b. A tool for clinching nails, screws, or bolts. 2. . ``We've all been working really hard for this since last year,'' said Highland's Evan Salas (149), who despite experiencing flu symptoms scored a 10-1 major decision over Eric Williams Dr. Eric Eustace Williams (September 25, 1911 – March 29, 1981) was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. He served from 1956 until his death in 1981. He was also a noted Caribbean historian. . ``We wanted it really bad, and we came out and took it.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: EVAN SALAS Highland wrestler won at 149 pounds in his title match despite suffering from flu. |
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