With entries in just six weight classifications, the Cerritos College wrestling team was still able to compile enough points to capture the championship of the East Los Angeles Brawl on Saturday. The Falcons, who had 10 of their 15 entries finish in the top four, as the team earned 189.5 team points to easily outdistance the other 13 schools. Next up for the team is the Southern California Regional Tournament, which will take place on December 2 at Palomar College.

The lone champion for Cerritos on the day was 141-pound Jake Topartzer (San Juan Hills HS), who won all three of his matches. After receiving a bye in the first round, Topartzer defeated Howard Tieu of Rio Hondo, 14-9 and followed that with a 19-2 technical fall over Jalen Arceo of East Los Angeles in the semifinals. Topartzer capped off his day with a 6-5 overtime win over Albert Mechamal of Moorpark in the championships. A late takedown by Topartzer sent the match into overtime, where he pulled out the win.

In the same weight class, Kimo Servino (Carson HS) finished in third place and defeated teammate Evan Granatos (Savanna HS) by pin in 1:31 in the third place match.

 

The Falcons had three other wrestlers that reached the finals of their respective weights, but had to settle for second place. At 125 pounds. Carlos Garcia (Magnolia HS) received a bye in the first round and then posted a 5-1 win over Tayrai Tye of Victor Valley College to advance to the semifinals. Garcia then defeated teammate Nasier Parker (Silverado, NV HS), 9-7 to advance to the finals. In that match. Garcia was defeated by top seed Dylan Atherton, 11-2 and came in second place. Parker followed the loss to Garcia by pinning teammate Roberto Ramirez (Paramount HS) in 4:14 and then defeated Nicholas Arrellano of Mt. San Antonio College, 11-9 to come in third place.

 

At 133 pounds, Evan McShane (North Torrance HS) cruised through his first two matches, a 15-0 technical fall over Artemis Schmuel of Santa Ana College and then pinned Ernie Sanchez of East LA in 1:55. In the semifinals, McShane posted a 7-3 win over teammate Isaac Mendoza (Trabuco Hills HS), which advanced him to the finals. He squared off against Luis Solis of Menlo College, who held off a late rally by McShane and posted an 8-6 decision.

 

The other second place finish came at 157 pounds, where Noah Zuniga (Trabuco Hills HS) pinned his first two opponents before dropping an 18-7 championship match to Zeke Hueter of Santa Ana College. Zuniga pinned both Armando Martinez of USC in 1:05 and then Eric Smith-Williams of Meno College in 6:09.

 

Other Falcons who wrestled well included Jasper Centeno (St. John Bosco HS), who came in third place at 149 pounds, while Spencer Parry (Yorba Linda HS) placed fourth. At 184 pounds, Michael Felix (Fountain Valley HS) turned in a fourth place finish.