Gonzalez, Sandlin on Collision Pace

STOCKTON — Cristobal Gonzalez of Ventura High and Charles Sandlin of Camarillo wrestled their way along a collision course Friday in the opening rounds of the state finals Friday at University of the Pacific.

Gonzalez, a 189-pound junior who entered the two-day tournament with a 45-0 record, and Sandlin, a senior and 30-3, each recorded three hard-fought victories to advance to today’s semifinals against separate opponents.

Of 24 regional entries, only Gonzalez and Sandlin remain in contention to win a state title.

“It’ll be a scrapping match,” Sandlin said, jokingly.

Sandlin, who defaulted because of injury against Gonzalez in the finals of the Southern Section Masters Meet, rallied to defeat Max Harris of Gilroy, 5-4, in a quarterfinal.

In a match scoreless until midway through the third period, Sandlin fell behind, 1-0, then recorded a reversal with seven seconds remaining to snap a 3-3 tie.

“The biggest match of the year,” Sandlin said. “I was scrambling as hard as I could.”

Gonzalez bled from the nose throughout a 13-9 quarterfinal victory over Joe Vetromile of Temecula Valley. Earlier, Gonzalez defeated Andrew Bonner of Del Oro, 12-5, and McArthur Hoang of Gunderson, 6-2.

“The first couple of matches, I thought they’d be easier,” Gonzalez said. “But I feel good. Unless I do something stupid, I’ll be OK.”

The going figures to get tougher for both in today’s semifinals. Sandlin faces Central Section champion Danny Jackson of Kingsburg. Gonzalez will wrestle San Joaquin Section champion Andy Hunter of Hiram Johnson. Jackson and Hunter are ranked first and second in the state. Gonzalez is ranked third.

Among eight wrestlers still alive in the consolation bracket, Joe Martinez of Ventura (215), Jacob Waasdorp of Quartz Hill (215), Dustin Clocherty of Ventura (130) and Alex Luna of San Fernando (heavyweight) reached the quarterfinals before losing.

Martinez (52-7), who placed second at Masters, was defeated by Josh Leslie of Oakdale, 10-3.

“He handed me the worst beating I’ve had all year,” Martinez said. “I guess I underestimated him. I really didn’t know what to expect.”

Luna (27-4), vying to become the first City Section entrant to reach the semifinals in the 25-year history of the state meet, was pinned by Lloyd Marshbanks of San Diego Vista in 4:17.

Clocherty was denied a semifinal matchup with with defending state champion Carlos Blanco of Canyon Springs after losing to Thomas Juarez of Montgomery, 9-8.

Blanco enters the semifinals with a 44-0 record and is undefeated in 89 bouts over the past two seasons.