Devils advance nine into finals
GLENDALE — The Sunnyside wrestling team dominated the semifinal round of the 5A-II state tournament at the Jobing.com Arena on Friday night.
The Blue Devils advanced nine wrestlers into the finals, most notably Kyle DeBerry and Mike Moreno. Both are three-time state champions.
DeBerry will face Marshall Swerfeger of Glendale Deer Valley in the 160-pound final, and Moreno will take on Alan Felix from Yuma Kofa at 130.
"It's going my direction," said Moreno, who beat Kyle Burzych of Glendale O'Connor 12-1. "It was my dream. My family is nothing but wrestling, and one of my dreams was to become the first four-timer."
Other Sunnyside wrestlers seeking state titles are Paul Garza (119), Steven Moreno (125), Nathan Vorel (135), Richard Moreno (145), Alex Akers (103), Raymond Pina (152) and Jerry Ochoa, who will take on Matt Cole of Flowing Wells in an all-Tucson final at 171.
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In the 4A-I state tournament, Pueblo remains optimistic about its chances for a state title. After the consolation semifinal round, the Warriors were in fourth place with 107 1/2 points.
The Warriors were led by David Islas, who will wrestle in the final against Brandon Horton of Lake Havasu. Islas defeated Mike Mailoux 7-2 at 119.
"I am very excited to be in the finals, but I have to be mentally ready," said Islas, who will be looking for his second consecutive title. "It's hard because there is a target on your chest after you win it all, and everyone seems to come at me harder. But I wrestled aggressive today."
The Warriors also will be represented in the finals by Robert Lopez at 171.
"I got a couple of points for the team so I am happy," said Lopez, who pinned Jacob Jarvis of Prescott in 2:38. "It means a lot to be in the finals, because I wasn't there last year. But all I want to do is take it this year."
Cienega has some ground to make up if it wants to lift the team trophy. Cienega was sixth after the consolation semifinals with 100 points.
Mike Jablonski and Adam Miles will try to help the Bobcats gain the team title when they wrestle for individual crowns.
Jablonski will take on Ricky Abril of Phoenix Thunderbird at 135, and Miles will wrestle Daniel Felix of Glendale Independence at 125.
"I made a few adjustments going into the state tournament," said Miles, who was excited about his opportunity. "I feel like I am on fire right now. But more importantly, I want to be No. 1 and the state champion by tomorrow night."
1A/2A, 3A meets
Two-time defending 3A state champion Safford placed 11 wrestlers in this morning's semifinal round to surge into first place after the first day of competition.
The Bulldogs have a 29-point lead over Sahuarita. Senior Justin Gaethje improved to 50-0 this season with two wins in the 160-pound class. Gaethje won a state title at 152 last season.
Sahuarita has six wrestlers in the semifinals.
In the 1A/2A meet, Travis Shull and Phil Bullington won two matches each to put Benson in second place.
Semifinalist Tony Viecelli and Morenci were 9 1/2 points behind Benson in third place.
Today
• What: Class 5A-I and 5A-II individual state championships; Class 1A through 4A state championships
