The data from the 2026 CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield breaks the tournament down by school, section, grade level, final placement, and much more. But what emerges from the numbers goes beyond individual results—it reveals how concentrated success has become at the very top of California wrestling.

Out of 112 projected medalists, just eight programs account for 57 of those placements. That’s more than half of all podium finishes coming from a small group of schools. At the top, Buchanan (12 medalists), Poway (11), and St. John Bosco (9) alone account for nearly 29% of the state’s total medalists. In practical terms, a small number of elite programs are consistently producing a disproportionate share of California’s highest finishes.

Zooming out further, the tournament also reflects a striking level of exclusivity at the statewide level. Across all 112 medalists, only about 75 schools are represented out of roughly 900 wrestling programs in California. That means just ~8.3% of the state’s schools produced even a single state medalist.

Put simply, about 1 in every 12 schools in California manages to produce a CIF State medalist in a given year—and that figure already includes all medal placements, not just champions or top-four finishers. In a state with nearly a thousand programs, the pool of schools that reach the podium is extremely small, even before accounting for multiple medalists from the same programs.

A similar pattern appears when broken down by section. The Central Section (29 medalists, 25.9%) and Southern Section (32 medalists, 28.6%) together account for 61.4% of all podium placements. That leaves the remaining sections of the state to divide less than 40% of the medals. Even at the championship level, success is heavily clustered in just a few geographic regions that have maintained long-term competitive depth.

Performance also closely tracks pre-tournament expectations. Roughly 80.4% of medalists entered the state tournament ranked inside the Top 8, while only 19.6% broke through from outside that group. In other words, the bracket largely unfolds according to seeding. When combined with the fact that nearly half of all medalists are seniors (46.4%), the pattern becomes clearer: experience, established rankings, and program infrastructure strongly influence who ultimately reaches the podium.

At the same time, the data still reflects meaningful depth and future development. A combined 31 freshmen and sophomores placed at the state level, signaling that younger talent continues to emerge. Many of these athletes are already advancing into the collegiate pipeline. Wrestlers such as Ashton Besmer (Army West Point) and Mario Carini (Poway) represent just a snapshot of a broader group moving on to NCAA programs across all divisions. The talent pool is not lacking—it is simply concentrated at the highest levels.

Taken together, the picture is difficult to ignore: a relatively small number of elite programs and highly ranked athletes are capturing a large share of success, while the vast majority of schools across the state are not represented on the podium at all. Upsets still occur, but the overall structure trends strongly toward predictability and top-end consolidation.

It is also worth noting that several CIF sections have experienced a noticeable long-term decline in competitive depth over the past decade. In some cases, participation levels and medal production have steadily decreased to the point where future qualification allocations could be at risk, further narrowing access for already underrepresented regions.

In a previous analysis, “One State, One Bracket, No Margin for Error” (May 30, 2026), I examined just how difficult it already is to qualify for the state tournament. That raises a broader structural question: in a state as large and talent-rich as California, does a single-division system still best reflect the competitive landscape?

The numbers suggest that it may be time to reconsider. A single-bracket format appears to amplify concentration at the top, where a small group of programs consistently dominates year after year.

A two- or three-division structure would not dilute the quality of competition in California wrestling. Instead, it could broaden opportunity, allow more programs to realistically compete at the state level, and better reflect the actual depth of talent across the state.

California wrestling is not lacking elite athletes or elite programs. The question is whether the current system fully represents that depth—or whether it compresses it into a structure where only a narrow group can realistically break through.

2026 CIF State Championships

Top 8 Teams Scores

1. Buchanan (CS): 288.5 Pts. | 12 Placers | 3 CHAMPIONS
2. Poway (SD): 229.5 Pts. | 11 Placers| 2 CHAMPIONS
3. St. John Bosco (SS): 219.5 Pts.| 9 Placers | 2 CHAMPIONS
4. Clovis (CS): 177.5 Pts. | 5 Placers| 2 CHAMPIONS
5. Gilroy (CC): 165.5 Pts. | 5 Placers| 1 CHAMPION
6. Clovis North (CS): 163.0 Pts. | 5 Placers | 1 CHAMPION
7. Esperanza (SS): 151.0 Pts. | 5 Placers
8. Birmingham (LA): 119.0Pts.| 5 Placers

PLACE	TEAM	MEDALS (Placers)	% of Total Medals
1	Buchanan	12	10.71%
2	Poway	11	9.82%
3	St. John Bosco	9	8.04%
4	Clovis	5	4.46%
5	Gilroy	5	4.46%
6	Clovis North	5	4.46%
7	Esperanza	5	4.46%
8	Birmingham	5	4.46%

Weight Group

Place. Name – School, Grade (Section) #Final state ranking [college commit]/All-American

106

1. Michael Bernade – Clovis, 9 (CS) #1/2x AA
2. Thales Silva – Buchanan, 9 (CS) #2/2x AA/Pan Am Medalist (Gold/Silver)
3. Cash McClurg – Granite Hills, 9 (SD) #8/1x AA
4. Aiden Talavera – Reedley, 10 (CS) #5
5. Luke Loren – St. John Bosco, 9 (SS) #3
6. Tyler Sweet – Clovis North, 10 (CS) #6/2x Folkstyle National Champ/2x AA
7. Kingston Cruzat – Folsom, 12 (SJ) #4 [Commit: San Francisco St., Div II]
8. Nathaniel Nava – Stockdale, 10 (CS) #12

113

1. Anthony Garza – Clovis, 11 (CS) #1 [Commit: Illinois, Big 10, Div. I]
2. Max Murillo – Esperanza, 11 (SS) #3
3. Thiago Silva – Buchanan, 9 (CS) #2/16U National Champ/4x AA
4. Eli Mendoza – Gilroy, 10 (CC) #4/1x AA
5. Uriah Correa – Servite, 10 (SS) #8
6. Phillip Hernandez – Clovis North, 9 (CS) #5
7. Daniel Mendoza – Victor Valley, 12 (SS) #15
8. Julius Villamil – Poway, 10 (SD) #6

120

1. Rocklin Zinkin – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #1 [Commit: Oklahoma St, Big 12, Div. I]/Jr. National Champ/2x AA
2. Sam Sanchez – Esperanza, 10 (SS) #3/2x U17 World Champ/6x AA
3. Henry Aslikyan – Birmingham, 12 (LA) #2 [Commit: Michigan, Big 10, Div. I]/ U17 Nat’l Champ/3^rd U17 World/2x Pan Am Gold/5x AA
4. Rene Cordero – Poway, 11 (SD) #6
5. Aiden Garcia – Palma, 11 (CC) #4 [Commit: American University, EIWA, Div. I]
6. Zachary Samano – Chino, 11 (SS) #8 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Pac-12, Div. I]
7. Nathan Reynolds – St. John Bosco, 9 (SS) #7/1x AA
8. Troy Montero – La Mirada, 12 (SS) #10 [Commit: Vanguard, Pac West, Div. II]

126

1. Paul Ruiz – Buchanan, 10 (CS) #1/4x AA
2. Siraj Sidhu – Clovis North, 12 (CS) #2 [Commit: Stanford, ACC, Div. I]/1x AA
3. Thunder Lewis – Del Norte, 12 (NC) #4 [Commit: Iowa St., Big 12, Div. I]
4. Aaron Silva – Corona Del Mar, 12 (SS) #6 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Pac-12, Div. I]/3x AA
5. Sean Wilcox – St. John Bosco, 12 (SS) #3 [Commit: No. Carolina St., ACC, Div. I]/3x AA
6. Elias Castaneda – Bella Vista, 11 (SJ) #11 [Verbal: Menlo, NAIA]
7. Issac Torres – Fountain Valley, 12 (SS) #7 [Commit: San Francisco St., Div. II]
8. Aaron Meza – Esperanza, 10 (SS) #5/2x AA

132

1. Ashton Besmer – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #1 [Commit: West Point, EIWA, Div. I]/3x AA/U17 World Team
2. Slater Hicks – Valencia, 11 (SS) #2 [Verbal: Oklahoma, Big 12]/5x AA
3. Arno Vardanyan – Birmingham, 12 (LA), #4/1x AA [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Div. I]
4. Nathan Carrillo – St. John Bosco, 12 (SS) #3 [Commit: Oregon St., Pac-12, Div. I]/2x AA
5. Jack Malinconico – Poway, 11 (SD) #6 
6. Cael Humphrey – Sultana, 11 (SS) #5/1x AA
7. Dominic Bozanic – Gilroy, 12 (CC) #18 [Commit: North Idaho College, NJCAA]
8. Joseph Guardado – Esperanza, 11 (SS) #12

138

1. Moses Mendoza – Gilroy, 12 (CC) #1 [Commit: Michigan, Big 10, Div. I]/Nat’l Champ/7x AA
2. CJ Huerta – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #2 [Commit: Rutgers, Big 10, Div. I]/Nat’l Champ/2x AA
3. Vinnie Gutierrez – Fountain Valley, 11 (SS) #3/3x AA
4. Raymond Rivera – Clovis, 12 (CS) #6
5. Matt Orbeta – Poway, 11 (SD) #4/16U Nat’l Champ/5x AA
6. Orion Hill – Folsom, 11 (SJ) #9/1x AA
7. Zaydrein Hernandez – St. John Bosco, 12 (SS) #7 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Div. I]/1x AA
8. Joseph Pavlov-Ramirez – Los Gatos, 12 (CC) #10

144

1. Jesse Grajeda – St. John Bosco, 11 (SS) #1 [Commit: Ohio St, Big 10, Div. I]/3x AA
2. Chris Arreola – Clovis North, 10 (CS) #2/1x AA
3. Joseph Toscano – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #3 [Commit: Cornell, IVY, Div. I]/3x AA
4. Kavi Garvey – Fountain Valley, 11 (SS) #6/1x AA
5. Diego Valdiviezo – Poway, 11 (SD) #5/2x AA
6. Ames-Michael Hoevker – Granite Hills, 12 (SD) #4 [/Westcliff, NAIA]/2x AA
7. EJ Sheeran – Pitman, 12 (SJ) #8 [Commit: Virginia MI, SoCon, Div. I]
8. Rocco Godinez – Corona Centennial, 12 (SS) #10 

150

1. Michael Romero – St. John Bosco, 11 (SS) #1 [Verbal: Ok St. Big 12, Div. I]/2x Nat’l Champ/5x AA
2. Ivan Arias – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #2 [Commit: Maryland, Big 10, Div. I]
3. Tommy Holguin – Bellarmine Prep, 12 (CC) #4 [Commit: San Francisco St., Div. II] 
4. Alias Raby – Anderson, 12 (NS) #3 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Div. I]/1x AA
5. Joshua Requena – Camarillo, 12 (SS) #5 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Div. I]/6x AA
6. Greg Torosian – Birmingham, 11 (LA) #6 [Commit: Harvard, Div. I]/16U Nat’l Champ/6x AA
7. Carlos Valdiviezo – Poway, 12 (SD) #8/1x AA
8. Mateo Centeno – Esperanza, 10 (SS) #10/2x AA

157

1.Bailey Holman – Poway, 11 (SD) #5 [Commit: Air Force, Big 12, Div. I]/1x AA 
2. Wyatt Lewis – Del Norte, 11 (NC) #3 [Commit: Iowa State, Big 12, Div. I}
3. Jacob Perez – Everett Alverez, 12 (CC) #2
4. Roman Arakelyan – Birmingham, 12 (LA) #12
5. Carlo Contino – Buchanan, 10 (CS) #4 
6. Dimetry Molina – Esperanza, 10 (SS) #9/1x AA
7. Chris Anguiano – Millikan, 11 (SS) #8/4x AA
8. Chase Young – Del Oro, 10 (SJ) #18/1x AA

165

1. Slava Shahbazyan – Birmingham, 12 (LA) #1 [Commit: Stanford, ACC, Div. I]/2x AA
2. James Curoso – Clovis, 10 (CS) #3
3. Kaleo Garcia – Gilroy, 12 (CC) #2 [Commit: West Virginia, Big 12]
4. Jesus Guzman – Lakeside, 10 (SS) #6/1x AA
5. Mason Carnrite – Poway, 11 (SD) #3
6. Blake Woodward – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #8 [Commit: Oregon St., Pac 12, Div. I]/1x AA
7. Tigran Greyan – Valencia, 12 (SS) #5 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO Pac 12, Div. I]/1x AA
8. Treyton Sheets – Frontier, 12 (CS) #13 [Commit: Vanguard, Div. II]

175

1. Mario Carini – Poway, 11 (SD) #1 [Commit: Virginia Tech, ACC, Div. I]/4x AA
2. Isai Fernandez – St. John Bosco, 10 (SS) #3/5x AA/World Team/Pan Am Gold/Silver
3. Mason Ontiveros – Pitman, 12 (SJ) #2 [Commit: Oklahoma, Big 12, Div. I]/5x AA
4. Travis Grace – Gilroy, 12 (CC) #4 [Commit: OR St., Pac 12, Div. I]/4x AA/2x Pan Am Gold
5. Elijah Ornelas – Clovis North, 10 (CS) #9/1x AA
6. Ashton Lassig – Temecula Valley, 12 (SS) #5
7. Patrick Roberts – Buchanan, 12 (CS) #6/1x AA
8. Kelan Stever – San Clemente, 12 (SS) #12 [Commit: Vanguard, NAIA]

190

1. Jonathan Rocha – Clovis North, 12 (CS) #1 [Commit: Virginia Tech, ACC, Div. I]/2x AA
2. Mason Savidan – St. John Bosco, 10 (SS) #2 
3. Dom Dotson – Poway, 12 (SD) #4 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Pac 12, Div. I]/1x AA
4. Carter Vannest – Pitman, 12 (SJ) #3 [Commit: Oklahoma, Big 12, Div. I]/NHSCA Nat’l Champ/5x AA
5. Noah Daniels – Sheldon, 12 (SJ) #6 [Commit: Cal Poly, SLO, Pac 12, Div. I]
6. Gabriel Barragan – Esperanza, 12 (SS) #9/3x AA
7. Jackson Naven – Frontier, 12 (CS) #7
8. Brady Wight – Vacaville, 12 (SJ) #5

215

1. David Calkins, Jr. – Liberty, 12 (NC) #2 [Commit: Iowa, Big 10, Div. I]/2x Nat’l Champ/3^rd U17 World GR
2. Wes Burford – Oakdale, 12 (SJ) #2 [Commit: Air Force, Big 12, Div. I]
3. Mick Moylan – Poway, 11 (SD) #3 [Commit: North Carolina, ACC, Div. I]/2x AA
4. Kai Ford – Ponderosa, 12 (SJ) #6 [Commit: Colorado Mesa, Div. II]
5. Brian Haran – Gilroy, 11 (CC) #5 
6. Kaden Cryer – Moreno Valley, 12 (SS) #11 [Commit: Central Methodist, NAIA]
7. Emilio Ayala – Kingsburg, 12 (CS) #13
8. Jaxon Smith – Chaparral, 12 (SS) #10 [Hope International, NAIA] 

285

1. Coby Merrill – JW North, 12 (SS) #1 [Commit: Iowa St., Big 12, Div. I]/16U Nat’l Champ/9x AA
2. Andrew Arroyo – Clovis, 10 (CS) #3
3. Matthew Cooley – Oakdale, 11 (SJ) #4
4. Noah Huss – Moorpark, 12 (SS) #13
5. Sammy Seja – Buchanan, 10 (CS) #2/NHSCA National Champion
6. Noah Larios – Imperial, 11 (SD) #5/16U Nat’l Champ/4x AA
7. Nathan Espericueta – Frontier, 12 (CS) #9
8. Carlos Sutton – Etiwanda, 12 (SS) #8

A Data-Driven Look at California’s Elite Wrestlers

Top 8 Teams Scores

1. BUCHANAN (CS): 288.5 POINTS | 12 PLACERS (10.71%) | 3 CHAMPIONS
2. POWAY (SD): 229.5 POINTS | 11 PLACERS (9.82%) | 2 CHAMPIONS
3. ST. JOHN BOSCO (SS): 219.5 | 9 PLACERS (8.04%) | 2 CHAMPIONS
4. CLOVIS (CS): 177.5 POINTS | 5 PLACERS (4.46%) | 2 CHAMPIONS
5. GILROY (CC): 165.5 POINTS | 5 PLACERS (4.46%)| 1 CHAMPION
6. CLOVIS NORTH (CS): 163.0 POINTS | 5 PLACERS (4.46%)| 1 CHAMPION
7. ESPERANZA (SS): 151.0 POINTS | 5 PLACERS (4.46%)
8. BIRMINGHAM (LA): 119.0 POINTS | 5 PLACERS (4.46%)

Key Aggregate Insights

• Top 3 dominance
• Buchanan + Poway + St. John Bosco = 32 medals
• That’s 28.57% of all state medals

Top 8 collective share

• Total medals earned by Top 8 teams: 57

Out of 112 total medals:

• 50.89% of all medals

Distribution gap

• Nearly half of all state medals (49.11%) were earned by programs outside the Top 8 team standings.
• The projected CIF State podium presented above offers an excellent snapshot of the current landscape of California wrestling. Across 14 weight classes and 112 projected medalists, several trends emerge regarding sectional strength, recruiting success, grade-level depth, and the continued dominance of nationally-ranked athletes.

SECTIONAL STRENGTH ANALYSIS

Total Medalists by CIF Section

• Southern (SS): 32 (28.6%)
• Central (CS): 29 (25.9%)
• Sac-Joaquin (SJ): 11 (9.8%)
• Central Coast (CC): 10 (8.9%)
• San Diego (SD): 10 (8.9%)
• Los Angeles City (LA): 5 (4.5%)
• North Coast (NC): 3 (2.7%)
• Northern (N): 1 (0.9%)

Key Observation

For decades, California wrestling has largely been a battle between the Southern Section and Central Section, and this year is no different.

Together they account for:

• 61 of 112 medalists
• 54.5% of the entire podium field

The Southern Section narrowly leads the state in overall medalists, while the Central Section remains the most balanced section from top to bottom.

Individual State Champions by CIF Section

• Central (CS): 6
• Southern (SS): 4
• San Diego (SD): 2
• Central Coast (CC): 1
• Los Angeles City (LA): 1

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS

Central (CS)

• Michael Bernade (106)
• Anthony Garza (113)
• Rocklin Zinkin (120)
• Paul Ruiz (126)
• Ashton Besmer (132)
• Jonathan Rocha (190)

Southern (SS)

• Jesse Grajeda (144)
• Michael Romero (150)
• Slava Shahbazyan (165)
• Coby Merrill (285)

San Diego (SD)

• Bailey Holman (157)
• Mario Carini (175)

Central Coast (CC)

• Moses Mendoza (138)

Los Angeles City (LA)

• Slava Shahbazyan (165)

Key Observation

The Central Section’s six projected champions demonstrates why programs such as Buchanan, Clovis, and Clovis North continue to be national powers.

SCHOOL DOMINANCE

Most Projected Medalists

• Buchanan (CS): 12
• Poway (SD): 11
• St. John Bosco (SS): 9
• Clovis (CS): 5
• Esperanza (SS): 5
• Gilroy (CC): 5
• Birmingham (LA): 5
• Clovis North (CS): 5

BUCHANAN’S INCREDIBLE RUN

• The Bears place wrestlers in 12 of 14 weight classes.

Projected finalists:

• Rocklin Zinkin
• Paul Ruiz
• Ashton Besmer
• CJ Huerta
• Ivan Arias

POWAY CONTINUES TRADITION

• Poway places 11 wrestlers on the projected podium, proving once again that the Titans remain among America’s premier programs.

GRADE LEVEL BREAKDOWN

Medalist by Grade

• Seniors: 52 (45.4%)
• Juniors: 29 (25.9%)
• Sophomores: 20 (17.9%)
• Freshman: 11 (9.8%)

Key Observation

• Nearly half of all projected medalists are seniors, which is typical for the California State Tournament.
• However, 31 underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) are projected to medal.
• This suggests exceptional future depth.

FRESHMAN PHENOM ANALYSIS (Medalists)

106 Pounds

• Michael Bernade (1st)
• Thales Silva (2nd)
• Cash McClurg (3rd)
• Luke Loren (5th)

113 Pounds

• Thiago Silva (3rd)
• Phillip Hernandez (6th)

120 Pounds

• Nathan Reynolds (7th)

Additional freshmen appear throughout lower weights.

Key Observation

• The freshman class is extraordinarily strong.

Most notable:

• Michael Bernade
• Thales Silva
• Thiago Silva
• Luke Loren

All project as future state-title contenders and potential national-level recruits.

RECRUITING BREAKDOWN

• College Commitments Among Medalists

NCAA Division I

• Approximately 34 projected medalists have already committed or verbally committed to Division I programs.

NCAA Division II

Projected commits include:

• San Francisco State
• Colorado Mesa

• Vanguard

NAIA

Programs represented:

• Menlo
• Westcliff
• Hope International
• Central Methodist

Junior College

• North Idaho College

DIVISION I CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN

Big Ten

Represented by commits to:

• Illinois
• Michigan
• Rutgers
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Ohio State

• The Big Ten continues to recruit California aggressively.
• Total Big Ten Commits (10+ medalists)

Big 12

Represented by:

• Oklahoma State
• Oklahoma
• Iowa State
• Air Force
• West Virginia
• Total Big 12 Commits (12+ medalists)
• The Big 12 and Big Ten dominate California recruiting.

ACC

Represented by:

• Stanford
• North Carolina
• Virginia Tech
• NC State
• Total ACC Commits (9+ commits)

Percentage of State Medalists with College Commitments

• Total CIF State Medalists: 112
• Total Known College Commits/Verbals: 55 (49.1%)

Nearly Half of All State Medalists

Approximately 49.1% of all CIF State medalists have already committed, verbally committed, or signed with a college wrestling program.

NATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT ANALYSIS

• National Champions
• Numerous projected medalists have won:
• Junior National Championships
• 16U National Championships
• NHSCA National Championships

Examples include:

• Rocklin Zinkin
• Moses Mendoza
• Michael Romero
• David Calkins Jr.
• Coby Merrill

World-Level Experience/International Standouts

• Sam Sanchez (2x U17 World Champion)
• Henry Aslikyan (World Medalist)
• David Calkins Jr. (World Medalist)
• Ashton Besmer (U17 World Team)
• Isai Fernandez (World Team)
• Thales Silva (Pan American Medalist)

Observation

California continues producing athletes capable of competing on the world stage before graduating high school.

STATE RANKING ANALYSIS

Tier Distribution 

Tier 1 (Ranked #1-8)

• 90 medalists [80.4%)

Tier 2 (Ranked #9-12)

• 14 medalists [12.5%]

Tier 3 (Ranked #13-20)

• 8 medalists [7.1%]

What This Means

• Four out of every five medalists came from the Top 8 rankings, indicating that the rankings were highly predictive.
• Only 22 medalists (19.6%) came from outside the Top 8.
• Just 8 medalists (7.1%) came from the Tier 3 group (#13–#20), showing how difficult it is to reach the podium when entering the tournament outside the state’s elite tier.

By Weight Class

The weights with the highest ranking accuracy (7 of 8 placers ranked in the Top 8) were:

• 106
• 113
• 120
• 126
• 144
• 150
• 165
• 190

The weights with the most upsets/deep runs were:

• 157 (5 of 8 placers ranked in Top 8)
• 215 (5 of 8 placers ranked in Top 8)

These two weights produced the greatest number of medalists from outside the state’s Top 8 rankings.

ObservationHistorically, just over 80% of California state medalists come from the state’s Top 8 rankings, underscoring the importance of entering the CIF State Championships as a Tier 1 contender

TOUGHEST WEIGHT CLASSES

120 Pounds

Features:

• Rocklin Zinkin
• Sam Sanchez
• Henry Aslikyan
• Aiden Garcia

This weight contains:

• Multiple national champions
• World medalists
• Numerous Division I recruits
• Arguably the deepest bracket in the tournament.

150 Pounds

Features:

• Michael Romero
• Ivan Arias
• Tommy Holguin
• Alias Raby
• Joshua Requena
• Greg Torosian
• Six athletes with major national credentials

175 Pounds

Features:

• Mario Carini
• Isai Fernandez
• Mason Ontiveros
• Travis Grace
• Perhaps the most credentialed top four in the state.

FUTURE STATE TITLE CONTENDERS

Sophomores and freshmen likely to contend for future championships include:

• Michael Bernade
• Thales Silva
• Thiago Silva
• Paul Ruiz
• Chris Arreola
• Mason Savidan
• Andrew Arroyo
• Isai Fernandez
• Elijah Ornelas
• Carlo Contino
• Many of these athletes already possess national-level credentials.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This projected CIF State Tournament field illustrates why California remains one of the premier wrestling states in America. The numbers reveal three major storylines:

• The Central Section and Southern Section continue to dominate, accounting for more than half of all projected medalists.
• Buchanan, Poway, and St. John Bosco remain California’s gold standard, combining for 32 projected medalists and several state champions.
• The future is exceptionally bright. Eleven freshmen and twenty sophomores are projected to stand on the podium, many already carrying national and international credentials.
• Perhaps most impressive is the sheer concentration of elite talent. World champions, Pan American medalists, national champions, and future NCAA Division I wrestlers populate nearly every bracket. From 106 pounds to heavyweight, this projected tournament field reflects a level of depth and excellence few states can match, reinforcing California’s status as one of the nation’s true wrestling powerhouses.

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PHOTO IMAGES: John Sachs – Tech-Fall.com