Buchanan vs. Poway: California’s Ultimate North–South Showdown

LOS ANGELES, CA. – When the best of Northern California meets the gold standard of the South, the result is must-see wrestling.

On Saturday, January 31st, Buchanan High School will host Poway High School in a dual meet that features 14 nationally ranked wrestlers and two programs that have defined excellence in California wrestling for more than a decade.

A year ago, Poway edged Buchanan 31–30 in one of the tightest and most dramatic duals of the season. Both teams won seven matches, but Poway’s ability to collect bonus points proved to be the difference. This time, Buchanan looks to flip the script on its home mat.

What follows is a weight-by-weight breakdown of one of the most stacked high school duals anywhere in the country.

National rankings courtesy of Billy Buckheit at SI.COM

Photo courtesy of John Sachs at TechFall.com

106 Pounds

#3 Thales Silva (Buchanan) vs. Wyatt Carnrite (Poway)

Silva enters as one of the most accomplished lightweights in the nation, with international credentials and dominant tournament performances. Carnrite is battle-tested, but Silva’s pace and scoring ability should separate him.

Prediction: Silva by major decision

Team score: Buchanan 4, Poway 0

113 Pounds

#10 Thiago Silva (Buchanan) vs. Julius Mark Villamil (Poway)

Thiago Silva’s freestyle success and relentless offense make him a dangerous matchup. Villamil is tough and experienced, but Silva’s finishing ability gives Buchanan another opportunity for bonus points.

Prediction: Silva by fall

Team score: Buchanan 10, Poway 0

120 Pounds

#2 Rocklin Zinkin (Buchanan) vs. Rene Cordero (Poway)

Zinkin is one of the most dominant wrestlers in the country regardless of weight, coming off major national titles. Cordero is solid, but Zinkin’s explosiveness and control should end this one quickly.

Prediction: Zinkin by fall

Team score: Buchanan 16, Poway 0

126 Pounds

#6 Paul Ruiz (Buchanan) vs. Armani Rodriguez (Poway)

Ruiz has proven himself on the national stage and consistently overwhelms opponents with speed and pressure. Rodriguez is gritty, but this matchup favors the Northern powerhouse.

Prediction: Ruiz by fall

Team score: Buchanan 22, Poway 0

132 Pounds

#2 Ashton Besmer (Buchanan) vs. Tas Storer or Jack Malinconico (Poway)

Besmer has already posted a lopsided win over Malinconico and brings elite freestyle credentials. Regardless of who Poway sends out, this is a tough draw.

Prediction: Besmer by technical fall

Team score: Buchanan 27, Poway 0

138 Pounds

#9 CJ Huerta (Buchanan) vs. #10 Matthew Orbeta (Poway)

This is one of the marquee matchups of the night. Huerta holds an 8–3 win over Orbeta from Doc Buchanan, but both are elite competitors capable of controlling matches.

Prediction: Huerta by decision

Team score: Buchanan 30, Poway 0

144 Pounds

#22 Joseph Toscano (Buchanan) vs. #21 Arseni Kikiniou (Poway)

Two nationally ranked wrestlers collide in a tightly contested bout. Toscano’s consistency and mat awareness give him a slight edge.

Prediction: Toscano by decision

Team score: Buchanan 33, Poway 0

150 Pounds

#20 Ivan Arias (Buchanan) vs. Carlos Valdiviezo (Poway)

Arias has shown he can compete with the nation’s best and should control the pace against Valdiviezo in a competitive but measured bout.

Prediction: Arias by decision

Team score: Buchanan 36, Poway 0

157 Pounds

Carlo Contino (Buchanan) vs. Bailey Holman (Poway)

Both wrestlers bring tournament success into this matchup, but Contino’s consistency gives Buchanan another close win.

Prediction: Contino by decision

Team score: Buchanan 39, Poway 0

165 Pounds

Blake Woodward (Buchanan) vs. Mason Carnrite (Poway)

Poway finally breaks through here, as Carnrite’s scoring ability and experience at big events should earn the Titans their first points.

Prediction: Carnrite by decision

Team score: Buchanan 39, Poway 3

175 Pounds

Patrick Roberts (Buchanan) vs. #1 Mario Carini (Poway)

This is Poway’s anchor matchup. Carini, the top-ranked wrestler in the country, brings elite freestyle credentials and finishing ability.

Prediction: Carini by fall

Team score: Buchanan 39, Poway 9

190 Pounds

Raiden Bishop (Buchanan) vs. #22 Dominic Dotson (Poway)

Dotson has already teched Bishop and remains one of the most dangerous upper-weights in California. Expect another dominant showing.

Prediction: Dotson by technical fall

Team score: Buchanan 39, Poway 14

215 Pounds

Andre Sandoval España (Buchanan) vs. #12 Daniel Mick Moylan (Poway)

Moylan’s national-level results and size advantage should lead to more bonus points for Poway.

Prediction: Moylan by fall

Team score: Buchanan 39, Poway 20

285 Pounds

#25 Sammy Seja (Buchanan) vs. Lewis Fofanah-Akfar (Poway)

Seja closes the night with a favorable matchup and the chance to put an emphatic stamp on the dual for the Bears.

Prediction: Seja by fall

Final Score Prediction: Buchanan 45, Poway 20