Cervantes, Smith rolling in pins at San Pasqual event

By: SIMON SAMANO - Staff Writer | Saturday, January 20, 2007 11:11 PM PST ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- Is there a truer display of domination for a high school athlete than a wrestler pinning his opponent? Is there anything better than having your hand raised after winning in such a convincing fashion?

"Oh no," said Orange Glen High wrestling coach Don Barrios, "that's the best feeling in the world after you pin a guy."

Two wrestlers from North County experienced that feeling four times at the 25-team San Pasqual Invitational on Saturday, as Mt. Carmel 135-pounder Beau Cervantes and Rancho Buena Vista heavyweight Trent Smith were the only two wrestlers to pin their way to individual titles.

Ramona won a team tournament title for the second consecutive weekend. The Bulldogs' 185 1/2 points were narrowly better than second-place Mt. Carmel's 174 1/2. Rancho Buena Vista (142 1/2) finished third, while Escondido (120) and San Pasqual (115 1/2) rounded out the top five.

In their respective championship matches, Cervantes pinned Montgomery's Hemesath Gideon in the second round, and Smith finished off Ramona's Ryan Stone in 47 seconds.

"That's the best way to do it," said Smith, who won this tournament last year. "It's hard, but if you know the technique and work hard good things come."

Cervantes' motivation all day came in the form of a friendly competition with teammate Chris Bascon. It was simple: Who could get the most pins throughout the day? Both Cervantes and Bascon entered the finals with three pins each. And though Bascon captured the 171-pound crown, it was with a 13-7 decision over San Pasqual's Dominic Grippo.

The individual title was the first this season for Cervantes, who separated his shoulder during the finals of the Mira Mesa Tournament last month.

"Finally, it feels great," Cervantes said. "I just felt like I could get my moves down."

Though he lost the friendly competition to his teammate, Bascon was more than thrilled to see Cervantes atop the medal stand.

"He's got a competitive spirit," Bascon said. "This is his first tournament win (this season), and I'm proud of him for pulling off four pins at his first tournament win."

Contact staff writer Simon Samano at simon_samano@yahoo.com.

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