Area grapplers to test skills at state meet
Agoura's Pascal Combes-Knoke qualifies in 173pound division
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

This weekend in Bakersfield several of the area's top wrestlers will be competing in the CIF State Championships.

Thousand Oaks, which finished second in the Marmonte League's regularseason standings, will be represented by seniors Behrod Katebian (137 pounds) and Dillon Brockert (217).

TOHS head coach Kerry Lyne was thrilled to see two members of his squad make the cut at last week's Master's Meet.

"I'm really proud and excited to see Brockert and Katebian make it to state," Lyne said. "Although it's only two guys, it feels more like a team accomplishment when more than one person is going.

"I feel they both have a good chance at winning. The other wrestlers there are good, but it's not like they're walking on water. Those two deserve to be right there with them."

Royal, which finished first in the Marmonte League, will send junior Sergio Cortez (154) to Bakersfield, while the Highlanders' rival, Simi Valley, will be represented by senior Chris Barr (132).

Agoura High standout Pascal Combes-Knoke (173) also made the cut.

"Right now (Combes-Knoke) is using what he's learned all year, and it's working for him," Agoura head coach Dennis Ritterbush said. "He's not wrestling outside of his element or outside of his zone."

Earlier this year, CombesKnoke weighed in at 179 pounds and was forced to compete in a higher weight class.

Ritterbush believes that wrestling against bigger kids earlier in the year will help him at the state championships.

"He's prepared well, and he's excited about going, but he wants to win, too. He talks a lot about winning, not just going there."

Camarillo High sends Jonathan Urango (134) to state. Oxnard High's Paul Montoya will also compete.