Buchanan (CA), Gilroy (CA), Clovis (CA), Selma (CA), St. John Bosco (CA), Clovis North (CA), and Allen (TX) headline the 80 team field and what is becoming one of the toughest tournaments not only in California but on the West Coast. 

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106lbs

As with most tournaments throughout the country, the 106-weight class is mostly made up of underclassmen ready to make a name for themselves. With this being said, it does not mean that it doesn’t have quality grapplers in it. 

Leading the pack is Dominic Mendez (Righetti); Mendez was a state qualifier out of the tough central section where he finished 2-2. One to keep an eye on is Ethan Perryman (Temecula Valley). Perryman is currently undefeated on the season with his most current tournament win was Reno Tournament of Champions. Two freshmen who could make some noise this weekend include Cisco Cabrera (Buchanan) and Clarence Moore (Gilroy). Cabrera placed fourth at the Super 32 tournament during his middle school days and an All-American at USAW Folkstyle Nationals. Moore competes for powerhouse Gilroy High under coach Daniel Cormier. He was fifth at the Super 32 middle school tournament.

113lbs

This weight class will feature two nationally ranked wrestlers in Braxton Brown (Allen, Texas) and hometown hero Joey Cruz (Clovis North). After dropping down a weight class, Cruz won the Reno Tournament of Champions by defeating Brown 6-4 in the semifinal round and then putting the smackdown on double Fargo Champion Andre Gonzales (Poway). Don’t sleep on Jack Gioffre (Buchanan), who has been competing at 120-pounds but will finally be in his right weight class. He was a state runner-up last season and won a title at the 2019 USAW Folkstyle Nationals. 

Laz Maldonado (Clovis West) should make his wrestling debut this weekend after missing most of the season last year. He was a state qualifier in 2018 where he finished in the blood round. His international experience should allow him to go deep in the tournament as in 2017 he placed at both styles at the UWW Cadet tournament. Another wrestler with the international style of wrestling who should challenge the field is Zeth Romney (Chaminade Prep). A state place winner last year, Romney was triumphant at Fargo as he achieved All-American honors by placing third in Greco-Roman. Additional wrestlers ready to make the podium include Raymond Lopez (Buchanan) and state qualifiers Sean Solis (Fountain Valley), Matthew Terrence (Clovis), and Chris Calderon (Esperanza).

120lbs

When it comes to firepower, 120 is the most interesting of the first three weights as we could well be in line to see a match between two wrestlers which their respective schools will be challenging for the team title. 

Carlos Negrete (Buchanan) who is ranked # 14 in the country, is a two-time state runner-up who is more than ready to join Maximo Renteria as a state champion. He will be challenged by Texas state champion Kade Moore (Allen), who recently finished second at Reno Tournament of Champions. But both will have to work to get there ahead of Gilroy High diaper dandy Zach Fierro. Fierro looked good winning the Clovis West Shootout, where he defeated Raymond Lopez (Buchanan) 8-6 in the finals. Carter Bailey (Granada) is a veteran wrestler who is a state qualifier after finishing 2-2. He and Zack Parker (Fountain Valley) look to be on the podium on Saturday evening.

126lbs

We get to see the return of No. 3-ranked Maximo Renteria (Buchanan) at 126. He is a two-time California state champion who was second at the Super 32 tournament. Since then, he has gotten more noticed by some of the top programs throughout the country. He will, however, have his work cut out for him in a field including three wrestlers that placed at Reno Tournament of Champions. 

Jayden Gomez (Gilroy) was fourth at Reno and he is a Fargo All-American. Clovis North had two wrestlers placed at Reno in Ryan Watts and Hayden Zinkin. Both were state qualifiers last year for the Broncos. Watts was sixth while Zinkin Seventh. If the Zinkin name sounds familiar, that is because his father and uncle (Harold and DeWayne) were All-Americans for Fresno State. I am unsure if former state place winner Christian Cabuag (Monte Vista Christian) will be back to competing. He is returning Central Coast champion and was sixth at state. Additional wrestlers ready to make the podium include state qualifier Brian Benevidez (Porterville), George Rosas (Clovis), and diaper dandy Jacob Salcedo (St. John Bosco).

132lbs

In my opinion, the 132lb weight class is loaded from top to bottom! Leading the way should be two-time state runner-up Ryan Franco (Clovis North). Franco is an exciting wrestler who loves to get himself in awkward positions. He had a roadblock this past weekend as he was upset in the quarterfinal round at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Nevertheless, he bounced back and placed third. 

M.J. Gaitan (Temecula Valley) is only a California state qualifier but was a surprise finalist at Reno by defeating No. 1 seed Tim Levine (St. John Bosco), who placed fifth, via a major decision. Don’t sleep on Nathan Aguilar (Gilroy) who was seventh at Reno. He is the younger brother of Rutgers starting 125-pounder Nic Aguilar. Hunter Leake (Buchanan) was a state place winner in 2018 and finished shy of placing once again in 2019. He recently won the Mann Classic by defeating his teammate Michael Gioffre 1-0. Gioffre, who is a Folkstyle Nationals All-American won the Bakersfield Rumble for the Rig tournament by pinning Gaitan in the finals. Justin Mouritsen (Clovis) is a two-time state place winner but is not having a good season so far. During the first weekend of the season he lost via major decision to a non-state qualifier, and then last weekend, he was defeated in the semifinals of the Curt Mettler tournament 7-2. We should see how well he has adjusted to competing in this weight class.

138lbs

Fresh off an incredible showing at Reno Tournament of Champions where he placed second, Henry Porter (Gilroy) comes into Zinkin as the second-ranked wrestler in California and the heavy favorite to win this event. He will be challenged by former Ironman place winner Isaac Salas (St. John Bosco) who finished third at Reno. 

It is still unclear if defending state champion Aaron Nagao (Esperanza) will be back on the mats. If he does show up, expect Nagao, who has signed to compete for Minnesota to win the tournament. State place winner Josh Medina (Servite) has been on fired the past two weekends as he has earned outstanding awards in both events he has competed; he should challenge the field for a Zinkin title. Mark Takara (Temecula Valley) and Jarrett Moore (Allen, Texas) were seventh and eighth at Reno. Keep an eye on Buchanan’s Kyler Lake, who was second at USAW Folkstyle Nationals.

145lbs

Jesse Vasquez (Excelsior Charter) should be challenged for the first time this season at the Zinkin Classic. A three-time state champion, Vasquez will look to become the first four-time state champion to win it all in four different weight classes. He will be challenged by # 12 Anthony Ferrari (Allen, Texas). Ferrari is a Texas state champion who is recently coming off from winning Reno in dominating Fashion. 

Victor Jacinto (Gilroy) was fourth at state and placed seventh at Reno. Watch out for Oscar Aranda (St. John Bosco), who was a state qualifier last season and placed eighth at Reno behind Jacinto. Other wrestlers who should challenge the field include state qualifiers Zack Watts (Clovis North), and Jonathan Viveros (Kingsburg).

152lbs

California state runner-up and Super 32 Champion Chase Saldate (Gilroy) has been looking good so far this season. Last weekend, he destroyed Fargo double finalist Aaron Gandara (Poway) 10-2 in the finals of Reno. A Michigan State recruit, Saldate should toy with the field with ease. A wrestler that won’t be a pushover is 2018 state place winner Noah Cortez (Dinuba). Injuries kept Cortez from competing at all last season. Now, 100 percent healthy, we should see Cortez challenge Saldate and the field. 

A pair of Reno place winners ready to win this event include Mario Danzi (Allen, Texas) who was fourth and Evan Almaguer (Clovis North) seventh. Two dapper dandy wrestlers who could make some noise this weekend are Nicco Ruiz (St. John Bosco) and Kannon Campbell (Buchanan). Ruiz was undefeated on the season until he wrestled at Reno and finish 3-2. Campbell is probably the top freshman in California. He is fun to watch with his dangerous style of wrestling.

160lbs

Super 32 champion Cael Valencia (St. John Bosco) should be the clear favorite at this weight class. A very technical grappler, Valencia has been on fire all pre-season and now through the season. A pair of Buchanan wrestlers that could give Valencia a challenge are Reymundo Raiz and George Ruiz. Both these grapplers were state qualifiers last season. 

This tournament should determine which wrestler will get the green light to represent the Bears at this weight class throughout the season. Don’t sleep on Alejandro Cavazos (Allen) who is a two-time Texas state qualifier and place winner. Additional wrestlers that could challenge the field include state qualifiers, Giovanni Meza (Caesar Chavez), Neil Carter (Servite), and Joey Mora (Esperanza).

170lbs

Two-time NHSCA champion Max Wilner (Fountain Valley) should be the favorite at this weight class. An orthodox grappler, Wilner is only a junior that has committed to continue his collegiate career at Arizona State. A wrestler ready to challenge Wilner is Elise Brown Ton (Allen, Texas). Ton is a two-time Texas state champion that looked great by conquering the field at Reno. 

A wrestler ready to win this event once again is Giano Petrucelli (Clovis). Petrucelli is a three-time state place winner at 132, 113, and 106. Despite the weight gain, Petrucelli has been putting the smackdown on the competition with his closest match being an 11-3 decision. Rocco Contino (Buchanan) was a state finalist last year and was the # 1 wrestler in California until recently where he was defeated in the semifinal round of the Mann Classic by Andrew Sparks (Calvary Chapel). He will look to redeem himself and be back on top of the podium this weekend.

182lbs

This weight class is a two-man race between returning state champion Nathan Haas (St. John Bosco) and Joseph Martin (Buchanan). They are the # 1 and # 2 ranked wrestlers in the golden state. Haas is a Fargo finalist and recently won Reno. Martin is up a few weight classes after having finished seventh at 160-pounds at the Super 32 tournament. He has adjusted well to the weight gain and should give Haas a tough challenge. 

Thomas Mailhot (Los Gatos) is a dark horse in this weight class. He won the Chukchansi Invite a few weeks ago by defeating state place winner Nicolas Zavala (Mission Oaks) in the finals. A tough state qualifier that could play the spoiler part is Kodiak Stephens (Bret Harte). He comes out from the same school as UFC fighter T.J. Dillashaw. Other contenders include state qualifiers Tyler Avila (Porterville) and Bryan Henkel (Bella Vista).

195lbs

The 195-pound weight class is probably the deepest in the tournament as it has the #1, #3, #4 and #5 wrestlers in California. Leading the pack is Guillermo Escobedo (Los Altos). Escobedo was third at the California state tournament and had a great showing at Reno as he placed second. His biggest competition should come from Jadon Martin (Buchanan) and Tristan Wilson (Servite). Martin was a state finalist but felt to Escobedo in the finals of the Bakersfield 9-5. Wilson comes from the same section as Escobedo and was fourth in the state tournament. 

The dark horse at this weight is Tyler Gianakopulos (Clovis). Gianakopulos is a three-time state qualifier and two-time place winner. He will make his debut on the season and he is hungry for success. Zane Davis (Allen, Texas) could be the bracket buster as he was seventh at Reno.

220lbs

Two-time California state qualifier Mateo Morales (Clovis West) will be making his comeback to the mats. Morales is fun to watch, and he moves well on his feet and has great mat awareness. Morales's biggest competition could come from Gabriel Carranza (Victor Valley). Carranza is a state qualifier that won the pre-season tournament Freakshow in La Vegas by defeating various sate place winners from California and throughout the country. 

Don’t rest on Felipe Rodriguez (Clovis West) who is up a few weight classes after qualifying to the state tournament at 182-pounds. He had a great win at the Clovis West Shootout as he defeated state place winner Justin Darter (Bakersfield). We should see him compete with the same intensity as he tries to win a second tournament title this season. Eric Hayward (Vacaville) is an interesting story as he is down a weight class after having qualified for the state tournament as a heavyweight. We should see how well he performs this weekend.

285lbs

The big boys are topped by California state runner-up Nicholas Villarreal (Gilroy). Currently ranked # 15 in the country, Villareal is coming off from placing second at Reno. He will continue his collegiate career at Fresno State and train with Israel Silva. Terrell Underwood (Toppenish) should give Villareal a challenge as he is a two-time Washington state place winner. Chris Island (Vacaville) is a wrestler to keep an eye on. After qualifying to the state tournament at 220-pounds, he is now up a weight class ready to grapple with the big boys. He is a former Fargo All-American as he was second in the cadet division in 2018. Cade Foraker (Clovis North) and Isaiah Steel (Allen, Texas) are Reno place winners.