Wrestling: Servite, Bishop Amat win CIF-SS championships

As playoffs in other winter sports continue this month, the CIF-Southern Section has already crowned two Catholic school boys’ wrestling titlists.

In a day-long team tournament held Jan. 26, Servite (Division 1) edged St. John Bosco, 37-34, and Bishop Amat (Division 3) smothered Hillcrest 45-21. The tournament featured 16 teams in each of six divisions.

The Division 1 final was a reversal of last year’s Central Division final, when the Braves edged the Friars with Bishop Amat finishing third. Servite placed first in the 2014 Southern Division and 2015 Western Division finals, with St. John Bosco second both times.

This was the first year since 2001 that the CIF-SS used a numbered divisional alignment, after using geographic divisions from 2002 to 2017.  Overall, Servite has won three CIF-SS titles, St. John Bosco four and Bishop Amat two (the first in 1994).

Individual boys’ championships are scheduled Feb. 8-9 followed by the Masters Meet Feb. 15-16. The girls’ qualifying round is Feb. 8-9, with championships scheduled Feb. 15-16. State championship for boys and girls will be held Feb. 21-23 in Bakersfield.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News). 

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