Santa Ana Wins First State Title In 31 Years
O'Hara Culminates Season With Perfect 33-0 Mark
FRESNO, CA - Mike O'Hara's, 5-3, quadruple-overtime win at 149 over Bakersfield College's Alex Herrera sealed Santa Ana College first state wrestling title in 31 years, Saturday. The Dons edged the Renegades,
106.5-102.5, to claim the 2005 California Community College Commission On Athletics Wrestling Championship presented by US Bank held at Fresno City College.
With the win O'Hara capped a perfect 33-0 season and became just the second wrestler in school history to finish the season undefeated. In 1974, Santa Ana College Athletic Hall of Famer Frank Gonzales was the first to go through the season unblemished when he posted an overall record of
34-0.
O'Hara was one of three Dons to make it to the finals, but was the only one to pick up an individual title. Sabas Cruz (157) and Brian Judd (184) also advanced to the finals before falling. Cruz lost to West Valley College's 13-4 while Judd suffered a 20-10 decision to Mt. San Antonio's Tim Hawkins.
Sierra College, who closed out the championship matches with heavyweight Marcus Moore defeating Bakersfield's Jos Marquez, 14-5, had a hand in the Dons' championship. A win by Marquez would have given Santa Ana and Bakersfield a split state title. Moore and the Wolverines finished third with 100 points followed by Mt. San Antonio (93) and Cerritos (82.5).
Seven of the nine Dons who qualified for the state championships finished in seventh-place or better in Jose Hernandez (3rd, 125), Tom Eaton (4th, 174), Steve Schantin (5th, 141) and Juan Rodriguez (7th, 285).
Santa Ana's win overshadowed the loss of Rudy Justo (133) who was forced to injury default from the state championships after dislocating his elbow and breaking his arm in his second-round match against Sierra's Tyus Torrean..
Following the meet Dons' head coach Vince Silva was named the State Coach of the Year while Vito Beccera was honored as the State Assistant Coach of the Year.
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