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WEST VALLEY PREPS

Liberty, Sunnyside wrestling split tournament showdowns

A week after Demons take Peoria, Lions win in Tucson

Posted 1/20/20

Arizona's top two wrestling programs made themselves at home on the road during the state's two biggest tournaments this month.

Liberty traveled to its first Flowing Wells Invitational in Tucson …

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WEST VALLEY PREPS

Liberty, Sunnyside wrestling split tournament showdowns

A week after Demons take Peoria, Lions win in Tucson

Posted

Arizona's top two wrestling programs made themselves at home on the road during the state's two biggest tournaments this month.

Liberty traveled to its first Flowing Wells Invitational in Tucson on Jan. 17-18 and walked away with the team title.

As reported by Andy Morales of AZPreps365, Liberty beat defending champions Tucson Sunnyside by a score of 308.5 to 256.5

Lions sophomore Zander Phaturos won the 115-pound class, senior Kamyn Stonebraker took the 162 pound title.

But the Peoria school's strength was in its second-place finishers. They were: Sophomore Jonathon Rogers (128), senior Andrew Correa (134), senior Edgar Delgado (147), senior Matthew Stevenson (184) and sophomore Gavin Dodge (197)

Centennial senior George Roeder placed second in the heavyweight class.

Flowing Wells also had a full girls tournament, which featured the following local wrestlers:

  • * Kellis freshman Erica Pastoriza defeated Liberty freshman Isabella Bocanegra to win at 103 pounds.
  • Liberty junior Sara Schmocker won at 137.
  • Centennial junior Mia Didur claimed the 182-pound crown.

The 54th Peoria Invitational hosted 37 wrestling teams from all over Arizona and teams from Nevada Jan. 10-11 and for the fifth straight year, Tucson Sunnyside took home the team trophy.

But this year the margin was razor thin. Sunnyside finished with 254.5 points to win, edging Liberty’s 246 points.

Behind the defending state Division II and Division I champions, 2019 Division IV title Eloy Santa Cruz Valley had a strong third-place showing with with 197 points. Mesa Mountain View finished fourth with 170.5 pts.

Liberty senior 182 pounder Matthew Stevenson knocked off Santa Cruz sophomore and defending Division IV champ Diego Chavez 8-4 to win the weight class. Fellow senior Kamyn Stonebraker won the 160-pounds class.

Two other local wrestlers took home Peoria titles.

Sunrise Mountain junior Troy Ramirez won at 120 while Kellis senior Ty Ryan claimed the 170 pounds class.

Liberty had 10 placers total, including:

  • • Freshman Jayson Flener - third 106.
    • Sophomore Zander Phaturos - second 113.
    • Senior Andrew Correa - third 132.
    • Sophomore Tyler Sauter - second 138.
    • Senior Edgar Delgado - second 145.
    • Senior Gage Beaton - fourth 152.
    • Sophomore Gavin Dodge - third 195.
    • Senior Vincente Maestas - fifth 220 weight class.

Centennial senior Junior Camarillo placed second at 152 pounds.