Buchanan wrestling depth on display in dual meet victory over Poway
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- Buchanan displayed lineup depth and resilience in a 32-23 dual win over Poway.
- Top CalGrappler stars Paul Ruiz and Ashton Besmer delivered dominant victories.
- Bears aim for Central Section Feb 20-21, then state championships Feb 26-28.
The Buchanan High wrestling team seems primed to make another good run in the CIF state championships, if Saturday’s dual meet is any indication.
The defending state champions outlasted Poway Saturday afternoon, 32-23, in a matchup of two top state teams. The Bears’ girls team also won, 39-28.
Entering the dual, Buchanan was ranked No. 1 by the CalGrappler. St. John Bosco and Poway follow the Bears.
In Saturday’s dual, though, Buchanan got a good push by the lower weights, even without top-rated wrestlers Rocklin Zinkin (120) and Joseph Toscano.
Zinkin and Toscano were held out for precautionary reasons and should return soon, Buchanan coach Troy Tirapelle said.
Both Paul Ruiz (125) and Ashton Besmer (132) are also the top-rated wrestlers in the state, according to CalGrappler, and they showed why.
Ruiz picked up a technical fall over Klein, 18-2, and Besmer pinned Jack Malinconico in an impressive showing.
Buchanan was coming off a 38-21 victory over No. 4 Clovis on Jan. 21 in the annual ‘Big One’ for the 10th straight time.
The Central Section Masters is set for Feb. 20-21 at Selland Arena before moving on to the state championships in Bakersfield on Feb. 26-28, where the Bears will try for their 10th state title.
Match results
122: Rene Cordero, P, Dec 13-7 over Thiago Silva
128: Paul Ruiz, B, TF 18-2 over Aaron Klein
134: Ashton Bestmer, B, WBF over Jack Malinconico
140: CJ Huerta, B, Dec 2-0 over Matthew Orbeta
146: Arseni Kikinou, P, Dec 9-2 over Troy Ruiz
152: Ivan Arias, B, Dec 10-3 over Diego Valdiviezo
159: Carlos Valdiviezo, P, Dec 5-0 over Carlo Contino
167: Blake Woodward, B, Dec 4-0 over Bailey Holman
177: Mario Carini, P, WBF over Evan Montalvo
192: Dominic Dotson, P, Maj Dec 11-1 over Patrick Roberts
217: Sammy Seja, B, Maj Dec 12-2 over Lewis Fofanah
287: Mick Moylan, P, Maj Dec 16-2 over Andre Sandoval
108: Jax Vang, B, Dec 7-5 over Wyatt Carnrite
115: Thales Silva, B, TF 20-5 over Juilius Villamil
This story was originally published February 1, 2026 at 2:56 PM.
