As we gear up for another intense season on the mats, the landscape of Southern Section wrestling is already taking shape. After decades of covering the highs and lows of California high school wrestling, one thing remains constant: the Southern Section never rebuilds; it reloads.

Looking ahead to the 2026-2027 season, the battle for team supremacy will be fiercely contested. To get a clear picture of who holds the early advantage, we’ve crunched the numbers based strictly on returning points from last year’s section tournament (excluding state tournament points, incoming freshmen, and prospective transfers).

Unsurprisingly, Orange County and Los Angeles County are bringing back an immense amount of firepower, largely driven by the staggering depth of powerhouses like Esperanza and St. John Bosco. Esperanza enters the preseason as the heavy favorite, returning an incredible 256.5 points and a lineup loaded with state finalists and section champions. St. John Bosco isn’t far behind, bringing back 192 points and a pair of individual state champions ready to defend their titles.

Here is the breakdown of returning section points by county, followed by the Top 20 teams and honorable mentions entering the 2026-2027 season.

Returning Points by County

County	Total Returning Points
Orange County	514
Los Angeles County	473
Riverside County	264
San Bernardino County	170.5

1 – Esperanza High – Returning 256.5 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Giovani Suarez (Jr.), Max Murrillo (Sr.), Sammy Sanchez (So.), Aaron Meza (Jr.), Joseph Guardado (Sr.), Marcello Calavitta (Sr.), James Ruiz (Sr.), Matthew Centeno (Jr.), Dimetry Molina (Jr.), James Holiday (Sr.), Jude Holiday (Sr.)

Esperanza returns a massive 256.5 points and a star-studded lineup anchored by a pair of state finalists in Max Murrillo and Sammy Sanchez. Murrillo won his second section title and became a two-time state medalist after finishing as the state runner-up. Sanchez, a two-time World Champion who recently added a Fargo title to his resume, captured his second section title and finished second at the state tournament after winning it all in 2025.

Aaron Meza and Dimetry Molina add even more firepower, with both taking home section titles last season. Meza won his first section championship and became a two-time state placewinner after securing a sixth-place finish to go along with a previous seventh-place medal. Molina captured the section crown and battled his way to a sixth-place finish at state. Giovani Suarez also won a section tournament title and finished just one match shy of placing at the state tournament.

Joseph Guardado and Matthew Centeno bolster the lineup with state medals of their own, as both secured eighth-place finishes at the state tournament. Guardado earned his medal after placing third at the section tournament, while Centeno made the most of his second state appearance to reach the podium. Rounding out this incredibly deep roster is a battle-tested group of veterans. James Ruiz finished second at the section tournament after winning the title in 2025 and has reached the state blood round in each of the past two seasons. Brothers James and Jude Holiday both advanced to the state tournament for the second time, with James going 2-2 and Jude once again reaching the blood round. Marcello Calavitta also qualified for the state tournament for a second consecutive year, finishing with a solid 3-2 record.

2 – St. John Bosco – Returning 192 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Luke Loren (So.), Nathan Reynolds (So.), Jesse Grajeda (Sr.), Michael Romero (Sr.), Sergio Gomez (Sr.), Alexandros Kosmitis (So.), Isai Fernandez (Jr.), Mason Savidan (Jr.), Sergio Rios

St. John Bosco returns a staggering 192 points, anchored by a pair of state champions in Jesse Grajeda and Michael Romero. Grajeda captured his third section title and broke through for his first individual state championship after finishing as the runner-up the past two seasons. He is also coming off a prestigious Fargo National title in the offseason. Romero matched Grajeda by winning his third section crown and first state title, improving upon his fourth and seventh-place state finishes from previous years.

Isai Fernandez and Mason Savidan add immense firepower, with both taking home state runner-up honors last season. Fernandez won his second section title and took second at state, highlighted by a massive semifinal victory over the No. 2 wrestler in the country. Savidan captured his first section title and became a two-time state place winner with his second-place finish. A pair of standout sophomores, Luke Loren and Nathan Reynolds, further bolster the loaded lineup. Loren won a section title, placed fifth at the state tournament, and enters this season fresh off winning a prestigious Fargo National title. Reynolds, also shining as a freshman last year, finished second at sections before wrestling his way to a seventh-place medal at the state tournament.

Rounding out the active returners are Sergio Gomez, who advanced to the state tournament for a second consecutive time and went 2-2, and Alexandros Kosmitis, who gained valuable experience by reaching the section tournament as a freshman and finishing 2-2. Looming large for the Braves is the return of Sergio Rios, who did not compete in the postseason last year. A 2025 state third-place medalist and Super 32 Champion, Rios was a favorite to win it all last year. He enters this season highly motivated and will undoubtedly be one of the heavy favorites to capture a coveted state title at whichever weight class he chooses to compete.

3 – Fountain Valley High – Returning 114.5 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Vinnie Gutierrez (Sr.), Kavi Garvey (Sr.), Mason McDonnell (So.), Christian Stoeber (Sr.), Brayden Carson (Sr.)

Vinnie Gutierrez and Kavi Garvey lead the way for a loaded Fountain Valley lineup, with both capturing section tournament titles last season. Gutierrez broke through for the section championship after finishing second and third the past two seasons, going on to place third at state to become a two-time state place winner. Garvey also took home a section title after finishing third the last two seasons, capping off his year with a fourth-place finish at the state tournament.

Christian Stoeber brings valuable veteran experience, making his third appearance at the state tournament. He finished second at sections last season after winning it all in 2025 and has battled into the blood round at state for two consecutive years. Mason McDonnell enters his sophomore campaign after a strong freshman season where he finished second at the section tournament and went 2-2 at the state tournament. Rounding out the core of returning state qualifiers is Brayden Carson, who placed third at the section tournament and once again punched his ticket to the state tournament.

4 – Palm Desert High – Returning 64.5 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Alekzander Espinoza (So.), Cash Andrade (Sr.), Mark Ramirez (Jr.), Salvador Bautista (Jr.), Sebastian Rodriguez (Jr.)

The Aztecs return a powerhouse lineup featuring three state qualifiers and five overall section qualifiers. Alekzander Espinoza led the way last season, finishing second at the section tournament and advancing all the way to the quarterfinal round of the CIF State Tournament. Sebastian Rodriguez took fourth at the section tournament before battling to a strong 4-2 record at state. Mark Ramirez also made an impact, securing a third-place section finish and going 2-2 at the state tournament. Rounding out this experienced core are section qualifiers Salvador Bautista and Cash Andrade. Bautista finished the section tournament with a solid 2-2 record, while Andrade gained valuable mat time by going 1-2.

5 – Sultana High – Returning 51.5 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: Maddox Hazard (Jr.), Jackson Humphrey (Jr.), Cael Humphrey (Sr.), Gavin Stalsworth (Jr.), Gabriel Ramirez (Sr.), Nathaniel Gallegos (Sr.)

Maddox Hazard advanced to the state tournament last season as a sophomore after placing fifth at the section tournament. Meanwhile, Jackson Humphrey qualified for state for a second consecutive time and made the most of it by reaching the blood round—quite an achievement for a sophomore competing in one of the toughest state tournaments in the country. The true leader of this squad is Cael Humphrey. A three-time state qualifier and two-time state medalist, expect him to be right in the mix to win an individual state title this year. Also returning for the Scorpions is Nathaniel Gallegos, a CIF placer and section alternate, along with Gavin Stalsworth and Gabriel Ramirez, who both look to build upon the postseason experience they gained at last year’s section tournament.

6 – Temecula Valley High – Returning 50 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Trevor Lambert (So.), Kaelib Garcia (So.), Tyler Vanbebber (So.), Luke Black (Sr.), Damen Vollmer (Jr.), Alexander Sotomayor (Jr.), Beckett Clear (Sr.)

The Golden Bears return half of the squad that captured an impressive fourth-place finish at the section tournament. Leading the charge are a pair of state qualifiers in Trevor Lambert and Damen Vollmer, with Vollmer putting together a solid run at the CIF State Tournament to finish with a 2-2 record. Tyler Vanbebber also had a strong postseason, placing sixth in the section. While he narrowly missed advancing to the big dance, the talented sophomore has three more years to punch his ticket to state. Temecula Valley will feature excellent depth with support from returning section qualifiers Alexander Sotomayor (2-2), Luke Black (1-2), and Kaelib Garcia (1-2), who all gained valuable postseason mat time, alongside senior Beckett Clear.

7 – Servite High – Returning 46.5 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Uriah Correa (Jr.), Massimo Ortiz (Sr.), Robert Garcia (So.), Hunter Artim (Sr.), Daniel Navarro (Sr.)

Junior Uriah Correa headlines the returning lineup for Servite after a stellar sophomore season where he captured a section title and placed fifth at the state tournament. Alongside him is senior Massimo Ortiz, a veteran who brings significant experience after qualifying for his third consecutive state tournament, where he finished 2-2. Rounding out the roster is a trio of returning section qualifiers looking to build on their postseason experience: senior Hunter Artim, senior Daniel Navarro, and sophomore Robert Garcia, who went 1-2 at sections as a freshman.

8 – Northview High – Returning 37 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Elijah Butler (Sr.), Elias Flores (Sr.), Nathan Ortiz (So.)

The Vikings will return three grapplers with valuable Masters experience. Elijah Butler finished second in the section tournament and came within a single match of placing at the CIF State Tournament. Elias Flores was triumphant in advancing to the state tournament after a hard-fought fifth-place finish at Masters. He comes from great wrestling stock; his older brother, Eddie, was a state runner-up in 2017. Adding depth to the lineup is Nathan Ortiz, who made the big dance as a freshman competing in the middleweights, where he secured a win. This early-career experience will serve him incredibly well in the upcoming season.

9 – Millikan High – Returning 35.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Daniel Cullen (Jr.), Jimmy Alvarez Jr. (So.), Milad Sharif (Sr.), Chris Anguiano (Sr.), Daniel Escobedo (Sr.)

Senior Chris Anguiano leads Millikan after a stellar junior campaign where he won his first career section title, became a three-time state qualifier, and placed at the state tournament for the second consecutive year. He is backed by a solid group of returning postseason veterans. Sophomore Jimmy Alvarez Jr. finished 2-2 at the section tournament as a freshman, while junior Daniel Cullen and senior Milad Sharif both bring valuable experience as returning section qualifiers. Rounding out the lineup is senior Daniel Escobedo, a CIF place winner and section alternate.

10 – Calabasas High – Returning 33.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Christopher Roos (Sr.), Micah Wegman (Sr.), Arel Francke (Jr.)

Micah Wegman leads the way for Calabasas after qualifying for the state tournament for a second consecutive time, finishing with a solid 3-2 record at the CIF state championships. Junior Arel Francke returns following a sixth-place finish at the section tournament as a sophomore and will be right in the mix to punch his ticket to the big dance this season. Rounding out the group is senior Christopher Roos, who brings valuable experience after finishing 2-2 at the section tournament last year.

11 – Victor Valley High – Returning 33 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: John Venegas (Sr.), Matthew Boutchee (Sr.), Steven Velasco (Sr.), Zander West (Sr.)

The Jackrabbits return a strong core of four seniors with valuable Masters experience. Zander West leads the pack as the lone returning medalist, having finished second at the section tournament and advancing to the CIF State Tournament. John Venegas competed at 190 pounds and finished just one round away from placing at the section tournament. Both Matthew Boutchee and Steven Velasco also gained crucial postseason mat time at the event, each finishing with a 1-2 record.

12 – Lakeside High – Returning 32.5 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Jake Agolia (Jr.), Jesus Guzman (Jr.), Armando Alvarado (Sr.)

Jesus Guzman leads the way for Lakeside High after a stellar sophomore campaign where he captured his first section title and placed fourth at the CIF state tournament. This follows an impressive freshman season that saw him finish third at sections and reach the blood round at state. Bolstering the lineup alongside Guzman are junior Jake Agolia and senior Armando Alvarado, who both return with valuable postseason experience after competing at the section tournament last year.

13 – San Dimas – Returning 30 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Michael Baeza (Sr.)

San Dimas returns 30 points to its roster, led by senior standout Michael Baeza. Baeza is coming off a stellar campaign where he captured his first section title and advanced all the way to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. Heading into his final high school season, he projects as one of the top contenders to claim an individual state title.

14 – Eleanor Roosevelt High – Returning 28 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Ricardo Quiros (Sr.), Nolan Stennett (So.), Samuel Jimenez (Sr.), Jesse Quiroz (Sr.), Jonsea Garcia (So.)

Senior Jesse Quiroz leads Eleanor Roosevelt High after qualifying for the state tournament for a second consecutive year, finishing with a solid 2-2 record at state. Sophomore Jonsea Garcia also brings impressive credentials, having placed sixth at the section tournament as a freshman. The lineup is bolstered by returning section qualifiers Ricardo Quiros (Sr.), Samuel Jimenez (Sr.), and Nolan Stennett (So.), with Jimenez and Stennett both gaining valuable experience by going 1-2 at sections last season.

15 – Valencia/Valencia – Returning 27.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Slater Hicks (Sr.), Markus Prothais (Jr.)

After finishing second the past two seasons, Slater Hicks finally captured the Southern Section title. He carried that momentum into the CIF State Tournament, finishing as the runner-up and cementing his status as a two-time state placer following his 6th-place finish as a sophomore. Markus Prothais also returns for the Vikings after qualifying for Masters. While he didn’t secure a win at the tournament, simply reaching that level provides invaluable experience that should prime him for a strong junior campaign.

16 – Chaparral High – Returning 25 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Julian Bigueur (Sr.), Jaicob Trimble (Sr.), Ehren Thompson (Sr.)

Julian Bigueur and Ehren Thompson lead the charge as the top wrestlers returning for Chaparral High. Both standouts advanced to the CIF State Tournament last season, with Bigueur putting together a strong showing to finish with a 3-2 record. Rounding out the returning core is Jaicob Trimble, who gained valuable postseason experience by competing at the section tournament. His time on the mat at that level will be a significant asset for the team heading into the upcoming season.

17 – Bishop Amat High – Returning 24.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Zeke Sandoval (So.), Benicio Thome (Sr.), Jeremy De Alba (So.), Jesus Hernandez (Sr.)

The Lancers bring back a strong mix of veteran leadership and young talent, headlined by senior standout Benicio Thome. Thome punched his ticket to Bakersfield for the second time last season, securing a fourth-place finish at the Southern Section tournament at 120 pounds to build on his 2025 section runner-up campaign. Bishop Amat will also rely heavily on seniors like Jesus Hernandez, who went 2-2 at sections, alongside rising sophomores Zeke Sandoval and Jeremy De Alba, both of whom successfully navigated their way to the section tournament during their freshman seasons.

18 – Yucaipa High – Returning 23.5 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: Joshua Kiriakos (Jr.), Luc Sorenson (Sr.), Keegan Daugherty (Sr.), Aiden Vasquez (Sr.)

Senior Luc Sorenson leads the way for Yucaipa after placing third at the section tournament and competing at the CIF state tournament, where he finished with a 1-2 record. Junior Joshua Kiriakos returns to the lineup following a section tournament appearance as a sophomore. Rounding out the veteran core are seniors Keegan Daugherty and Aiden Vasquez, who were both CIF place winners and alternates for the section tournament.

18 – Canyon Springs High – Returning 23.5 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Aidan Ruelas (Sr.), Daryl Hurlic (Jr.), Peter Brown (Jr.), Gavin Vargas (Sr.), Aaron Gonzalez (Jr.)

Junior Peter Brown leads Canyon Springs after an impressive season where he placed third at the section tournament and advanced to the CIF state championships, finishing with a 1-2 record. Senior Gavin Vargas returns after going 2-2 at the section tournament, while junior heavyweight Aaron Gonzalez also brings back section-qualifying experience from his sophomore year. Rounding out the lineup are senior Aidan Ruelas and junior Daryl Hurlic, who both served as section alternates after placing at CIF.

18 – Los Alamitos High – Returning 23.5 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Ruben Gonzales (Jr.), Adam Salas (Sr.)

The Griffins will count on veteran leadership and state-level experience this season, anchored by senior Adam Salas. Salas navigated a tough bracket to secure a third-place finish at the Southern Section tournament, successfully earning his second trip to the state championships. Joining him is junior Ruben Gonzales, who looks to build on a solid campaign that saw him qualify for the section tournament last year.

19 – Damien High – Returning 23 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Nathan Solorio (So.), Daniel Caso (Sr.)

The Spartans return a formidable pair of wrestlers to their lineup this season. Nathan Solorio made a significant impact as a freshman, placing third in the Southern Section before making a run at the state championships, where he picked up a pair of victories. Senior Daniel Caso provides crucial veteran depth, looking to build upon a solid campaign that saw him qualify for the section tournament and finish with an even 2-2 record.

20 – Redlands East Valley High – Returning 22.5 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: Marco Costa (So.)

Costa punched his ticket to the state tournament following an impressive run to the Southern Section Masters finals at 132 pounds. He established himself as a serious threat in Bakersfield, advancing to the blood round as just a freshman to set the stage for a highly anticipated sophomore season.

20 – La Serna High – Returning 22.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Ethan Duenas (Jr.), Josiah Leyvas (Sr.)

The Lancers will rely on the state-level experience of Josiah Leyvas to lead the way this season. Leyvas navigated his way to a fourth-place finish at the Southern Section tournament, ultimately picking up a pair of wins on the state mats in Bakersfield. Meanwhile, junior Ethan Duenas offers strong support in the lineup, aiming to build on the momentum of his sixth-place section finish from a year ago.

Honorable Mentions

Montclair High – Returning 22 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: Oscar Mercado (Sr.), Jonah Guerra (Jr.), George Llamas (Sr.)

The Cavaliers will lean heavily on the returning firepower of junior Jonah Guerra, who established himself as a premier threat by taking second at the Southern Section tournament and picking up two wins in Bakersfield at the state championships. With seniors Oscar Mercado and George Llamas also returning with section tournament experience under their belts, Montclair brings a solid veteran presence to the mat this year.

Coachella Valley High – Returning 21.5 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Ivan Angulo (So.), Abel Angulo (So.)

Sophomore Ivan Angulo leads the way for Coachella Valley after an outstanding freshman campaign where he placed second at the section tournament and finished with a 2-2 record at the state tournament. He is joined by fellow sophomore Abel Angulo, who also gained valuable postseason experience by going 1-2 at the section tournament as a freshman.

Trabuco Hills – Returning 20 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Justin Asbury (Jr.), David Golz (Sr.), Brock Kenney (Sr.)

Brock Kenney leads the way for Trabuco Hills, coming off his second consecutive trip to the CIF state tournament where he finished with a 1-2 record. The senior is joined by junior Justin Asbury, who was a CIF placer and a section alternate last season. Rounding out the returning core is senior David Golz, who brings solid experience back to the room after a 2-2 showing at the section tournament.

El Modena High – Returning 20 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Joseph Ramirez (Sr.), Lincoln Casas (Sr.)

The Vanguards will rely on the veteran leadership of Ramirez and Casas to anchor their lineup this year. Ramirez proved his mettle by battling to a fifth-place finish in the Southern Section and earning a spot at the state tournament. Casas joined him in the postseason, picking up a win at the section tournament to help build momentum for their final high school campaign.

Corona/Santiago High – Returning 19 Points (Riverside County)

Key Returners: Lucas Hernandez (Sr.), Leon Murphy (Sr.)

Senior Leon Murphy leads the way for Corona/Santiago after placing fourth at the section tournament to qualify for the CIF state championships last season. He is joined by fellow senior Lucas Hernandez, who brings valuable postseason experience back to the lineup after finishing 1-2 at the section tournament.

Carter High – Returning 18 Points (San Bernardino County)

Key Returners: Michael Martinez (Sr.)

The Lions will rely heavily on the state-level experience of senior Michael Martinez to anchor their lineup this season. Martinez put together an impressive postseason run last year, capturing third place at the Southern Section tournament before heading to the state championships, where he picked up a hard-fought victory to finish 1-2 overall.

Mission Viejo High – Returning 18 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Elijah Ramirez (Jr.), Dino Taxon (Jr.), Matthew Dalhover (Jr.)

The Diablos will rely on a battle-tested junior class to carry the load this season, anchored by state qualifier Elijah Ramirez. Ramirez proved he can compete with the best, securing a fourth-place medal at the Southern Section tournament before picking up a pair of wins in Bakersfield. The lineup is further strengthened by CIF place winner Dino Taxon and returning section qualifier Matthew Dalhover, giving Mission Viejo a dependable core to build around as they look to make an impact.

Bonita High – Returning 16.5 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Starters: Jacob Fernandez (Jr.), Tyler Franco (Sr.), Thomas Jimenez (Sr.), Matthew Mijares (Sr.), Matthew Meza (Sr.)

The Bearcats boast a seasoned roster highlighted by the state-level experience of junior Jacob Fernandez. Fernandez put together an impressive postseason run, securing a third-place finish at the Southern Section tournament and picking up a pair of hard-fought victories in Bakersfield. He is backed by a heavy senior presence that includes battle-tested section qualifiers Thomas Jimenez and Matthew Mijares, alongside Tyler Franco and Matthew Meza, both of whom are eager to break through after serving as section alternates last year.

South Torrance – Returning 16 points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Caden Garriott (Sr.), Melvin Cartagena (Jr.)

Garriott is an incoming senior who has qualified for the CIF state tournament on three occasions. This past season, he finished in the blood round, dropping a tight 4-1 SV match to the eventual fourth-place finisher. He is the unquestioned anchor of this squad. Despite coming up short of a win, Cartagena gained valuable experience competing at the section tournament as a sophomore and will be looking to build on that foundation this season.

Long Beach Poly – Returning 15 points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returner: Knox Espinoza (Sr.)

Espinoza advanced to the CIF state tournament for the first time this past season, taking a major step forward after competing at the section tournament as a sophomore. He returns with a veteran leadership mindset to the squad.

South Hills High – Returning 15 Points (Los Angeles County)

Key Returners: Isaac Tessier (Jr.), Dario Ruiz (Sr.), Rex Topete (Sr.)

The Huskies will rely on the state-level experience of senior Rex Topete to set the pace this season. Topete put together an impressive postseason run, taking fifth at the Southern Section tournament before picking up a pair of hard-fought victories at the state championships. The roster is further bolstered by senior Dario Ruiz, who grabbed a win at the section tournament, and junior Isaac Tessier, who brings his own valuable experience as a returning section qualifier.

Lutheran/Orange High – Returning 15 Points (Orange County)

Key Returners: Dylan Duszynski (Sr.), Jordan Duszynski (Sr.), Ezra Archuleta (So.), Garrett Hines (Sr.)

The Lancers will lean on a core of battle-tested returners to carry the momentum this season. Senior Jordan Duszynski is the standout, earning a sixth-place finish at the Southern Section tournament—a valuable run that should fuel his push for state this year. He is backed by a solid supporting cast of section qualifiers, with seniors Dylan Duszynski and Garrett Hines, as well as rising sophomore Ezra Archuleta, all looking to advance further after turning in 1-2 records at the section tournament a year ago.

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