Analy’s Trevor Bagan stamps ticket to State meet
Analy and El Molino wrestling teams enjoyed outstanding representation at the North Coast Section Championships on Feb. 24-25, the annual pressure-cooker that serves as a qualifier for athletes with state aspirations.
The goal for most NCS participants was a top-three finish in their respective weight class, good for advancement to the prestigious CIF State Championships this Friday and Saturday (Mar. 4-5) at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
The NCS meet, widely considered one of the toughest among all sections in California, began on Friday with preliminary matches, while the championship rounds were contested on Saturday.
In all the wrestling Lions and Tigers combined to send a contingent of seven wrestlers to NCS.
Leading the charge for the West County was 115-pound Analy junior Trevor Bagan, who navigated his bracket unscathed to go 6-0, including a 5-3 decision over DeLaSalle’s Jake Lilienstein in the championship final to bring home his first individual NCS title.
“Trevor had previously beaten him 7-0 so Lilienstein changed up his strategy (in the finals),” Analy coach Ryan Stevens said. “Trevor wrestled well and scored a single leg takedown with about 20 seconds left to win the championship.”
It’s the first trip to state for Bagan, also representing the first state qualifier for the Tigers since Mark Ryan in 2006.
Also just missing out on a medal for Analy was 108-pound freshman Preston Bagan, who went 4-2 and advanced to the second day of competition before being eliminated. He was joined by 128-pound sophomore Jimmy Carreras, who went 0-2.
El Molino also sent a contingent of athletes to the NCS meet. Leading the way for the Lions was 162-pound senior Thomas Mitchell, who advanced to the second day of competition and finished just out of medal contention with a 3-2 record.
Other El Mo wrestlers included 172-pound junior Sire Clark (1-2), 220-pound senior Travis Adams (1-2) and 120-pound sophomore Wyatt Ayers (0-2).
