PREP WRESTLING: HEAVY PRESSURE IS IT FAIR HEAVYWEIGHTS OFTEN DECIDE MATCHES?

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Highland High of Palmdale's last two wrestling losses - including Saturday's 33-31 setback to Righetti of Santa Maria at the Southern Section Division IV duals - both came down to the final match, the heavyweights.

Is it fair for heavyweights to carry such a burden? In almost every other team sport - football, basketball, baseball, soccer, etc. - everyone theoretically has a chance to contribute at the end.

Highland's standout heavyweight, Paul Soto, whose 7-2 loss to Righetti's Matt Tesoro converted a one-point team lead into a 33-31 loss on Saturday, also played football. As a linebacker last fall, he helped the Bulldogs to a berth in the Division III quarterfinals and earned a scholarship to Oregon State.

``In football, I had 21 other guys out there helping me,'' Soto said. ``On Saturday, that feeling on the mat was just unbelieveable. This time, everyone was looking at one person, and everyone seemed to forget what happened in the previous 13 matches. I felt like I let the team down because I had a responsibility - all I had to do was win. It was the first time the match ever came down to just me. I had so much more pressure that sometimes I forgot what I was doing, thinking about the scoreboard.''

Perhaps it's time for a different system. In college wrestling, there's an optional ``draw system'' that's sometimes used. Actually, draws are allowed in high school wrestling. ``But no one ever really does it,'' Highland coach Mike Young said.

Soto said a draw system wouldn't really make a difference.

``Hey, you could take turns by picking out of a hat, but the last match would still come down to somebody.,'' he said. ``The only difference for me was that I knew ahead of time.''

--Rueckert ready to rule: Royal of Simi Valley's Chris Rueckert, the Daily News No. 1-ranked wrestler (all weight classes), is looking to return to the state finals in Stockton. First he must qualify at the Division III finals on Friday and Saturday at North Torrance High, then at the CIF Masters meet at Fountain Valley High the next weekend.

``I think I've gotten a lot better this year, so I have a good shot,'' said Rueckert, a 171-pounder who owns a 31-1 record with 14 pins. ``Last year, I thought all the tournaments I entered were so tough, but this year I've won four tournaments and none of them seemed that hard.''

Rueckert jumped two weight classes this season after wrestling at 152 last year. He's ranked eighth in the state - at 160 by mistake.

The movie ``Vision Quest'' gave the notion wrestlers must cut weight to be successful. Rueckert, who said his walking-around weight for the last two years has been about 165, believed so last year and starved himself before meets. This year he's stronger - and better.

--Less at Lancaster: Jesse Mortensen, Lancaster's dominating 125-pounder, said practices on campus are getting lonely because only three team members have qualified for the this weekend's Division IV finals at Rancho Cucamonga High.

``Yeah, but it's good because we get a lot of individual work,'' said Mortensen, who's 38-6 with 27 pins.

Mortensen, who placed sixth at the divisional tournament last year when he went 41-9 overall, is seeking his first Masters berth.

--Way to go, Joe: Joe Sanchez of Moorpark boasts the region's best record at 31-0. However,the road gets much narrower at the Division III finals this weekend.

But there's no substitute for momentum.

``A lot of people have come up to me - people I don't even know - and told me how great I'm doing,'' Sanchez said. ``But I know now that I'm probably going to have to wrestle smarter. I can't make mistakes.''

--Rematch time: The City Section team dual championships are Thursday at El Camino Real High. The final likely will come down to San Fernando vs. El Camino Real, as it has the last three years.

El Camino Real, which lost to San Fernando 41-21 in the regular-season finale Thursday, has won three straight dual championships.

--Scorpians still stinging: Watch out for Camarillo's Hank Robles (103) and Ralph Garcia (189) in the Division III championships. Robles placed second last year and returns with a 35-7 record. Garcia, third a year ago, is 36-3.

``I feel like I can get back in the finals,'' Robles said. ``There's no other way you can be. You have to go in there feeling like you're gonna win.''

DAILY NEWS TOP 10

1. Chris Rueckert, Royal, 171

Looking to return to state championships.

2. Arthur Bryan, Monroe, 215

Best City wrestler in a long, long time.

3. Ralph Garcia, Camarillo, 189

Has won 36 of 39, and with Simi's Hadduck injured, has no peer at this weight.

4. Nick Petros, Highland, 140

Has 43 victories, the last two one-minute pins.

5. Ed Lemus, El Camino Real, 119

He's 34-2 and on pace for another City championship.

6. Jesse Mortensen, Lancaster, 125

Picking up steam at the end of the season, he's a major Masters contender.

7. Joe Sanchez, Moorpark, 152

Hard to argue with 31-0. He has surrendered just six takedowns all season.

8. Mike Estrada, Highland, 103

He's 46-6 and looking to avenge a loss to Camarillo's Robles at last year's divisionals.

9. Hank Robles, Camarillo, 103

Defending divisional finalist has his mind set on bigger things.

10. Jamar Cargo, El Camino Real, 189

Having another huge season - 32-5, 17 pins - after winning City title last year.

BUBBLING: Scott Heslop, Palmdale, 189; Willy German, San Fernando, 160; Matt Javid, Agoura, 135; Tony Callahan, Highland, 215; Lewis Haller, Littlerock, 130; Josh Roepke, Granada Hills, 160; Jason Bond, Newbury Park, 171; Jason Park, Thousand Oaks, 145; Marcos Herrera, Alemany, 160; Jared Briggs, Littlerock, 119.

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Box: Daily News Top 10 (see text)