Sosa is Lone Poway Wrestler to Reach State Semis

It wasn't the result coach Wayne Branstetter and his eight Poway wrestlers who qualified for this weekend's state high school meet in Bakersfield had hoped for.

Only Porfi Sosa, ranked second overall in the state at 215 pounds, was able to advance through Friday's grueling early rounds. The seven other qualifiers lost twice and were eliminated.

Still, Poway stands seventh in the team standings after day one but will find it difficult to attain its goal of a top five finish with only Sosa left in the competition. Perennial powerhouse Clovis High is leading, with Bakersfield second and  Concord-De La Salle third . 

Sosa had five takedowns and easily won his opening match against Madera’s Eric Mendoza, 12-5. He again dominated in his second bout, winning 12-3 against Elder Cruz of La Habra, the sixth-ranked wrestler in the 215-pound class.

An overtime decision over Silver Creek’s Ismael Sanchez, ranked eighth, advanced Sosa to Saturday's semifinals.

Twelve San Diego Section wrestlers reached Round 4 on Friday, but eight were eliminated at that point.

Besides Sosa, the other San Diego wrestlers to reach the semis are Otay Ranch’s Eddie Estevez at 112 pounds, Rancho Buena Vista’s Jesus Ambriz (189) and Mira Mesa’s Gabi Musallam (285).