Granite Hills’ Cash McClurg wins at 113 to lead Eagles in Jimmy Hamada tourney

by Kevin J. Farmer

CARLSBAD – San Diego Section wrestling – meet Cash McClurg.

The Granite Hills freshman introduced himself to the high school scene by capturing the 113-pound title at the two-day 60th annual Jimmy Hamada Tournament held at La Costa Canyon Saturday night.

“I’m a first-time Hamada champion,” said McClurg modestly of his championship. “I put my name out there. I like to be hyped, impress the crowd.”

A Western Regional Champion and all-American in the youth ranks, McClurg scored an impressive 21-3 technical fall over Charlie Bider of Cherokee Trail of Colorado in just 2:24.

His feats helped lead Granite Hills to a second-place team finish, behind only Anaheim Esperanza, the No. 6 team in California. The Eagles are ranked No. 11.

“(McClurg) is as hard-working as they come,” said Granite Hills head coach Jesse Sheard. “He busts his butt and seems to always do the right thing.”

McClurg finished the tournament, coming out of the No. 3 seed spot, with three pins and a pair of technical falls.

The Eagles set a team record with nine medal winners and five finalists. Other Granite Hills finalists were Uriah Hawkens (132 pounds), Ames-Michael Hoevker (144), Jovanni Mansour (190) and Travin Shahbaz (285).

Hoevker, who finished fourth at state last year and ranked No. 4, had the match of the night, facing No. 9 ranked James Ruiz of Esperanza. Hoevker beat Ruiz in the finals at this tournament last year, but fell to Ruiz in free style over the summer.

Ruiz got the best Saturday night, edging Hoevker 5-4.

Other medalist for the Eagles were third-place finishers Emilio Escobar (120) and Steven Gomez (215), sixth-place finisher David Danniels (157) and Damian Arreola (126).

Brawley, ranked No. 15 in the state, finished in seventh place led by champions Ricardo Ortiz (126) and Adam Avila (215).

Avila came into the tournament ranked No. 11 at 175, but his plans after bulking up is to stay at 215 for the season.

“I think I can make some noise this year,” said the senior.

The only other section wrestler in the finals of the tournament which featured teams from Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and around California was Carlsbad’s Roman Zelenka, who fell 11-1 to Esperanza’s Marcello Calavitta in the 138-pound final.

Esperanza finished with 11 medals, including seven champions.

Imperial’s No. 2 seeded 285-pounder Noah Larios, a Reno champion this summer, was forced to default out after the quarterfinals because of running out of blood time from a couple of loose elbows.

Jimmy Hamada Wrestling Tournament

At La Costa Canyon High School

Team – 1. Anaheim Esperanza 318, 2. Granite Hills 234.5, 3. Slam Academy (Nev) 193.5, 4. Corona Del Sol (Ariz) 184, 5. Cherokee Trail (Colo) 172; 6. Brawley; Others: La Costa Canyon 114.5, 12. Bonita Vista 113, 16. Carlsbad 98; 18. Rancho Bernardo 92; 19. Del Norte 79; 20. San Marcos 72.5.

Individuals:

106 – Suarez (Esperanza) dec Van Horn (Cherokee Trail) 5-0;

113 – McClurg (Granite Hills) TF Bider (Cherokee Trail) 21-3 (2:24);

120 – Murillo (Esperanza) TF Ito (La Costa Canyon) 17-1 (4:40);

126 – Ortiz (Brawley) p Vasquez (South Hills) 5:59;

132 – Matthews (Cherokee Trail) TF Hawkins (Granite Hills) 17-1 (5:00);

138 – Calavitta (Esperanza) MD Zelenka (Carlsbad) 11-1;

144 – Ruiz (Esperanzo) dec Hoevker (Granite Hills) 5-4;

150 – Centemo (Esperanzo) pin Austin (Centennial, Nev) 3:25;

157 –Balden (Slam) dec Molina (Esperanza) 5-4;

165 – Ja. Holiday (Esperanza) dec Cabrera (Slam) 4-2;

175 – Ju. Holiday (Esperanza) dec Cabrera (Slam) 9-3;