Photo: John Sachs

I'm going going back back to Cali Cali.

Last year was my first visit to Clovis for the Doc B tournament and let me tell you, what an incredible atmosphere. This is an event that the California wrestling faithful come out to see and no one is disappointed by the wrestling or the amazing show they put on with the one-mat final (which will always be my favorite. Enough of this two and three mat final. Give the finalist their stage and let em scrap) and awesome entrances through the giant inflated Clovis mascot head and smoke.

But the wrestling itself is enough for any wrestling fan. This year won't be any different. There are some prime matches that will have everyone glued to the screen. At 106-pounds there's a field of lightweights that can bring it. Aguilar will be looking to come out on top here with Schwartz, Olejnik, Yapoujian, Palacio and more looking to knock him off. Justin Mejia is on track to continue his hat collection at 120 along with Nick Suriano, who has been a lot more offensive this season. At 145 the match-up between Quentin Hovis and Zander Wick is definitely something to look forward to. Colton Schultz will have his work cut out for him as he looks to claim the title at 220 over AJ Nevills. The highly touted freshman has proved that he has what it takes to make it to the main event, but has hit some tough ones this year like when he had to settle for a runner-up finish at Ironman.

There are a ton of great matches to keep our eye on that we could talk about for days. But let's check out this year's crop of contenders.

106
Last Year’s Finals: Cade Olivas, SJB dec. Randon Miranda, Quartz Hill, 11-4.

Contenders:
(1) Nic Aguilar, Gilroy
(2) Mosha Schwartz, Ponderosa
(3) Christian Nunez, St. John Bosco
(4) Izzak Olejnik, Bakersfield
(5) Colton Yapoujian, Pomona
(6) Elijah Palacio, Calvary Chapel
(7) Matt Olguin, Buchanan
(8) Ethan Gould, Esperanza
(9) Sidney Flores, Bishop Amat
(10) Brandon Betancourt, Clovis

Commentary: From the jump we are starting with, in my opinion, the deepest weight of the tournament. This is a pretty impressive crop of candidates that have each done their share of winning. The guy ahead of the class here is #4-Nic Aguilar. Mosha Schwartz should be the guy to meet Aguilar in the finals, but there are plenty of guys that can give him a run for that spot in the finals.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Aguilar 2. Schwartz 3. Olguin 4. Yapoujian
Willie’s picks: 1. Aguilar 2. Olguin 3. Schwartz 4. Nunez


113
Last Year’s Finals: Justin Mejia, Clovis dec. David Campbell, Mission Oak, 8-2.

Contenders:
(1) David Campbell, Mission Oak
(2) Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic
(3) Ethan Leake, Buchanan
(4) Josiah Nava, Pueblo County
(5) Robert Areyano, Selma
(6) Luciano Arroyo, Calvary Chapel
(7) Wyatt Cornelison, Clovis
(8) Javier Alaniz, Clovis West
(9) Jacob Seto, Elk Grove
(10) Henry Cox, North Medford (OR)
(11) Mason Hartshorn, Freedom
(12) Joseph Delgado, Gilroy

Commentary: The match-up in the final is going to be a good one between Campbell and Ferrante. Campbell was in the finals last year against Mejia where he came up short, so he will be on a mission to claim the gold this year. But it’s going to be tough to take out the Jersey boy. Ferrante took a loss in the Beast quarters to the eventual runner-up so I expect him to want to make his mark in California.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Ferrante 2. Campbell 3. Arroyo 4. Cornelison
Willie’s picks: 1. Campbell 2. Ferrante 3. Leake 4. Cornelison




120
Last Year’s Finals: Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic md. Travis Torres, Pomona, 8-0.

Contenders:
(1) Justin Mejia, Clovis
(2) Ian Timmins, Wooster
(3) Gerard Angelo, Bergen Catholic
(4) Robert Garcia IV, Selma
(5) Donovin Guerrero, De La Salle
(6) Hunter Matner, Ponderosa
(10) Jaden Abas, Frontier
(11) Tino Lopez, San Marino
(12) David Ortega, Victor Valley

Commentary: The question here is; who can stop Mejia from claiming another title? He already has two Cowboy hats and he’s looking for a third. Ian Timmins from Nevada is making the trip to this year’s tournament and will look to stand in his way of a three-peat. Certainly not to be overlooked are contenders Gerard Angelo and Robert Garcia IV. Garcia will have his first shot at Mejia in the semis while Angelo attempts to impress upon his seed and take out Timmons on the other side. No matter what, who should I say who, meets Mejia in the finals it’s going to be a wild ride.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Mejia 2. Angelo 3. Garcia 4. Timmins
Willie’s picks: 1. Mejia 2. Abas 3. Garcia 4. Angelo


126
Last Year’s Finals: Israel Saavedra, Modesto dec. Durbin Lloren, Buchanan, 8-4.

Contenders:
(1) Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic
(2) Devan Turner, Dixon
(3) Isaiah Palomino, Bellarmine
(4) Grant Willits, Pueblo County
(5) Chris Deloza, Clovis North
(6) Adam Velasquez, Pitman
(9) Elijah Diaz, Montclair
(10) Chris Cisneros, Selma
(12) Brett Villarreal, Buchanan

Commentary: Nick Suriano will look to dominate the field once again this year and that’s pretty much what’s going to happen. He’s been doing it since he took a loss this summer and he hasn’t held back whatsoever. He seems to be picking up momentum even more since pinning Luke Karam in the Beast of the East finals. This could be our first weight class with some upsets as well. However, it will still be Suriano at the top in the end.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Suriano 2. Deloza 3. Turner 4. Willits
Willie’s picks: 1. Suriano 2. Palomino 3. Turner 4. Deloza




132
Last Year’s Finals: Jaden Enriquez, Mission Oak dec. Daxton Gordon, Brawley, 4-2.

Contenders:
(1) Durbin Lloren, Buchanan
(2) Chris Foca, Bergen Catholic
(3) JJ Figueroa, Bakersfield
(4) Alex Felix, Gilroy
(5) Curtis Booth, Folsom
(7) Tyler Bennett, Freedom
(8) Justin Davis, Pueblo County
(11) Tony Mendoza, Selma

Commentary: The match to watch is going to be in the semis as Lloren and Figueroa meet in a rematch of last year’s tournament. Can JJ Figs pull off the upset this year? Maybe, but it will not be an easy task over the returning runner-up. Chris Foca is certainly riding high off his Beast of the East title that gave him a huge boost in his national ranking. If he can put on a repeat performance he’s going to be tough to beat.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Foca 2. Figueroa 3. Lloren 4. Felix
Willie’s picks: 1. Figueroa 2. Felix 3 . Foca 4. Lloren


138
Last Year’s Finals: Khristian Olivas, Clovis dec. Greg Gaxiola, Buchanan, 8-4.

Contenders:
(1) Navonte Demison, Bakersfield
(2) Julian Flores, San Marino
(3) Jaden Enriquez, Mission Oak
(4) Chris Sandoval, Pueblo County
(6) Brady O’Keefe, Carson
(7) Ethyn Ewing, Canyon
(9) Johnny Knowles, Calvary Chapel
(10) Vincent Dolce, Seton Catholic Prep
(11) Jack Ramalia, Granite Bay
(12) Kalani Tonge, Elk Grove

Commentary: It’s a three-horse race here between Demison, Flores and returning champ Enriquez. Demison started off his year with a nice runner-up finish at Ironman where he saw plenty of top level talent. He’s got a very explosive offense so keeping up with him will not be easy. If Demison and Enriquez meet in the semis, which they should, the fireworks will ensue.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Enriquez 2. Demison 3. Flores 4. Sandoval
Willie’s picks: 1. Demison 2. Sandoval 3. Flores 4. Enriquez


145
Last Year’s Finals: McCoy Kent, Enochs dec. Jeremy Thomas, Santiago-Corona, 3-2.

Contenders:
(1) Zander Wick, San Marino
(2) Quentin Hovis, Seton Catholic Prep
(3) Ruben Garcia, Selma
(4) Hunter Willits, Pueblo County
(5) Dylan Martinez, Clovis
(6) Justin Hansz, Liberty-Brentwood
(8) Tristan Zamilpa, Buchanan
(11) Phillip Zamora, Laguna Hills
(12) Joe Barnes, Gilroy
(13) Beau Bradley, Monache

Commentary: Zander Wick vs Quentin Hovis. I’m excited for this one already. I don’t see anyone standing in the way of this match-up and that’s no disrespect to the rest of the field, but these guys are on a collision course for each other in the finals. Both these guys came dangerously close to defeating top-ranked David Carr and have what it takes to head home with the coveted Cowboy hat at 145-pounds.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Hovis 2. Wick 3. Martinez 4. Zamilpa
Willie’s picks: 1. Wick 2. Hovis 3. Zamilpa 4 Martinez


152
Last Year’s Finals: Layne Van Anroy, Roseburg dec. Justin Thomas, Santiago-Corano, 5-3 SV.

Contenders:
(1) Evan Wick, San Marino
(2) Greg Gaxiola, Buchanan
(3) Ben Anderson, Pleasant Grove-UT
(4) Brandon Konecny, Seton Catholic Prep
(5) Brady Ford, Bergen Catholic
(6) Jared Hill, Clovis
(7) Chris Lane, Clovis West
(8) Tyler Meisinger, San Clemente
(10) Ricky Gonzalez, Bakersfield
(12) Andrew Cervantes, De La Salle

Commentary: Wick should claim the prize here with a win over Konecny in the finals. Gaxiola has had quite the growth spurt after a runner-up finish in last year’s tournament at 138. Surely he’d like to impress upon that finish, but it’s not going to be easy. I’m interested to see how he’s transitioned into his new weight class this year.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Wick 2. Anderson 3. Gaxiola 4. Konecny
Willie’s picks: 1. Wick 2. Gaxiola 3. Anderson 4. Cervantes


160
Last Year’s Finals: Zackary Valasquez, Ponderosa vs Lorenzo De La Riva, Folsom, 3-1.

Contenders:
(1) Justin Thomas, Calvary Chapel
(2) Layne Van Anrooy, Roseburg-OR
(3) Abner Romero, Buchanan
(4) Sam Loera, Bakersfield
(5) Beau Colombini, Windsor
(6) Jason Bergquist, Folsom
(7) Aaron Padilla, San Marino
(9) Juan Villarreal, Gilroy
(10) Victor Vargas, Clovis

Commentary: Will we get a Doc B finals rematch here at 160? Yes, indeed we will. Van Anrooy and Thomas went in OT last year with Van Anroy coming out on top. You bet your *#$ that Thomas will be back for some revenge. Thomas took an ugly loss in the finals of Ironman to #1-Alex Marinelli (who recently moved up to 170) and Van Anrooy took a tough one in the Reno finals to Wyatt Sheetz, so you know that neither of these guys wants to come up short again this season.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Thomas 2. Van Anrooy 3. Bergquist 4. Loera
Willie’s picks: 1. Van Anrooy 2. Thomas 3. Romero 4. Loera



170
Last Year’s Finals: Anthony Valencia, SJB dec. Josh Hokit, Clovis, 11-6.

Contenders:
(1) Jeremy Thomas, Calvary Chapel
(2) Joe Grello, Bergen Catholic
(3) Michael Soler, Lake Stevens
(4) Koy Wilkonson, Pleasant Grove
(6) Cade Belshay, Buchanan
(9) Jonathan Hunter, Golden Valley
(11) Ryan Reyes, Clovis West

Commentary: Top-seed Jeremy Thomas was definitely in the weight room in the off season. Last year Thomas was a runner-up at 145 and no he’s making noise at 170 this year. Thomas was also a runner-up at Ironman this year and will look for another appearance in the finals. The man in his way of a title here is Joe Grello of Bergen Catholic. Belshay placed 3rd here last year and it’s going to be tough for him to make the final. Needless to say, it’s going to be between Grello and Thomas and I’m not sure Grello can keep up with Thomas’ pace.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Thomas 2. Grello 3. Belshay 4. Wilkinson
Willie’s picks: 1. Thomas 2. Grello 3. Wilkinson 4. Belshay


182
Last Year’s Finals: Zahid Valencia, SJB p. AJ Nevills, Clovis, 2:17.

Contenders:
(1) Roman Romero, McNair
(2) Anthony Montalvo, Buchanan
(3) Bridger Barker, Seton Catholic Prep
(4) Jacob Sieder, South Torrance
(5) Antonio Gutierrez, Bakersfield
(6) Dante Garcia, Pueblo County
(7) Josh McKenzie, Bergen Catholic

Commentary: Seton Catholic should gets its second champ here with Barker. When he and Romero meet in the semis it’s going to be a could one which Barker should take by about 1 or 2 points.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Barker 2. Romero 3. McKenzie 4. Montalvo
Willie’s picks: 1. Barker 2. Romero 3. Montalvo 4. McKenzie


195
Last Year’s Finals: Austin Flores, Clovis North dec. Hunter Brown, Centennial, 7-3.

Contenders:
(1) Josh Hokit, Clovis
(2) Kevin Mulligan, Bergen Catholic
(3) Danny Salas, St. John Bosco
(4) Donovon Rincon, Pueblo County
(5) Noe Garcia, Gilroy
(6) Trevor Ervin, Buchanan
(7) Adrian Godinez, Foothill

Commentary: Hokit comes back after losing to Anthony Valencia in last year’s “spirited” final. Mulligan didn’t have too favorable of a finish at the Beast where he was pinned in the semis by eventual champ Ben Darmstadt. He will be looking to get over the hump, but i think it’s going to be a bit too steep for him to climb.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Hokit 2. Mulligan 3. Rincon 4. Godiinez
Willie’s picks: 1. Hokit 2. Mulligan 3. Salas 4. Spallino


220
Last Year’s Finals: Seth Nevills, Clovis dec. Kai Dill, Buchanan, 8-5.

Contenders:
(1) AJ Nevills, Clovis
(2) Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa
(3) Bevan Brandt, Bullard
(5) Darryl Aiello, De La Salle
(6) Christian Ayala, Pacifica
(8) Zak Levatino, Buchanan
(9) Nathaniel Holloway, Clovis North
(10) Tyler Collier, Clovis

Commentary: Nevills redeems himself in a big way this year after being pinned in last year’s 182-pound final by Zahid Valencia. Schultz will make another final but again it may be tough for him to get the win against another experienced guy like Nevills in the finals.

Holmes’ picks: 1. Nevills 2. Schultz 3. Aiello 4. Ayala
Willie’s picks: 1. Nevills 2. Schultz 3. Ayala 4. Aiello


285
Last Year’s Finals: Hexton Coronado, Clovis p. Christian Rebottaro, MVC, 2:40.

Contenders:
(1) Seth Nevills, Clovis
(2) Jarrod Snyder, Frontier
(3) Christian Rebottaro, Monta Vista Christian
(4) Nic Iverson, Ukiah
(5) Antonia Ramirez, Righetti
(6) David Aranda, St. John Bosco

Commentary: We got Seth Nevills going back-to-back (Drake Voice). In all seriousness, he was impressive last year on his way to his first title and it’s going to be a repeat performance for him.

Holmes’ picks: Nevills 2. Snyder 3. Iverson 4. Rebottaro
Willie’s picks: 1. Nevills 2. Snyder 3. Rebottaro 4. Aranda