Top local grapplers set for state meet
Royal's Cortez, Simi's Barr make the cut

This weekend in Bakersfield several of the area's top wrestlers will be competing in the CIF State Championships.

Thousand Oaks, which finished second in the Marmonte League's regularseason standings, will be represented by seniors Behrod Katebian (137 pounds) and Dillon Brockert (217).

TOHS head coach Kerry Lyne was thrilled to see two members of his squad advance at last week's Master's Meet.

"I'm really proud and excited to see Brockert and Katebian make it to state," Lyne said. "Although it's only two guys, it feels more like a team accomplishment when more than one person is going.

"I feel they both have a good chance at winning. The other wrestlers there are good, but it's not like they're walking on water. Those two deserve to be right there with them."

Royal, which finished first in the Marmonte League, will send junior Sergio Cortez (154) to Bakersfield, while the Highlanders' rival, Simi Valley, is represented by senior Chris Barr (132).

Royal head coach Rich Carrillo said years of wrestling experience helped Cortez, a junior, earn his first state bid.

"His desire to want to be there has been huge," Carrillo said. "Cortez has wanted the opportunity to show he belongs with the best for a while now.

"He has outstanding technique, and has shown some great takedowns lately."

Agoura High standout Pascal Combes-Knoke (173) also made the cut, as did Camarillo High's Jonathan Urango (134).

Agoura head coach Dennis Ritterbush said Combes-Knoke has been at his best in recent weeks. The coach and his grappler are both confident.

CombesKnoke "has prepared well and he's excited about going, but he wants to win, too," Ritterbush said. "He talks a lot about winning, not just going there."

Oxnard High's Paul Montoya will also compete.

- Thomas Gase