El Camino Real Wins Close Battle for Wrestling Title

Woodland Hills El Camino Real won its third City Section wrestling title in five years, edging out San Fernando, 207 1/2-203, in one of the closest team meets in recent history at Bell High.

The Conquistadores took individual titles in three weight classes and placed second in five others. Thirteen El Camino Real wrestlers finished in the top four of their class, including David Amaya, whose victory at 152 pounds was good enough for outstanding wrestler of the tournament honors.

El Camino Real trailed San Fernando, 197-191 1/2, but won three consecutive weight classes at 140 pounds (Hugo Monje), 145 pounds (Francisco Jordan) and 152 pounds (Amaya) to get ahead and win by a slim margin.

“We knew we had a good shot going into those matches because we had more guys left,” Amaya said. “They were booing us, but it just made us more focused.”

Said El Camino Real Coach Terry Fischer: “It’s tough to maintain a successful program. But really good kids find ways to win. We’ve had incredible support and we needed it. This was closer than it’s been in a while. There’s a lot more parity this year.”

Melkon Melkonian of Granada Hills won his third consecutive 189-pound title, pinning Alex Perez of El Camino Real at 3:15. Melkonian, who was sidelined the first two months of the season because of a knee injury, had to lose 16 pounds in December to make his weight.

“I had to go out and prove myself,” Melkonian said. “Now I have to go to State and prove that L.A. can do something.”

All individual winners advance to the state meet Friday and Saturday in Stockton.