State Wrestling : Gerardi in Line to Win His Third Title

FRESNO — Mark Gerardi, a two-time defending state champion from Valhalla, is in a position to win a third title after Friday’s opening rounds in the CIF State Wrestling Tournament in Selland Arena.

Gerardi beat three opponents in the 157-pound division to advance. The championship finals begin tonight at 7:30.

San Diego Section schools hold two of the three top spots in the team competition. Poway is in second place with 35 1/2 points, three behind Victor Valley. Granite Hills is third with 32 1/2.

Both teams had two wrestlers advance to the semifinals (Marty Lewis at 129 and Brian Woods at 168 for Poway, Dave Myers at 141 and Tom Vardell at 194 for Granite Hills.)

Three Victor Valley wrestlers--Charlie Irick (115 pounds), Ray Leonard (122) and Dan Henderson (148)--each won three matches to advance to today’s semifinals.

The Southern Section’s two defending state champions, Santa Fe’s Lynden Campbell (129) and El Dorado’s Todd Tomazic (168), won three matches Friday to advance to today’s semifinals, which begin at 11 a.m.