By Phillip Brents
Updated Jan. 4, 2005

It is the biggest thing to strike fear into the hearts of high school wrestlers in the western United States. It is the celebrated Reno Tournament of Champions and for six San Diego Section wrestlers, they can say they withstood the fiercest hurricane, the hardest-charging locomotive thrown at them in the "Beast in the West." For one wrestler, Poway’s Todd Schavrien, he can say he conquered it.

Schavrien, in dropping to 125 pounds for the Dec. 19-20 tournament (where he is ranked #1 in the nation), scored an overtime win against Rio Rancho, New Mexico’s Dominic Valencia to emerge as the section’s lone champion. The Titan grappler, who finished third in the state in the weight class last year, has dedicated this season to winning a national title. He appears on his way.

Schavrien was one of four Poway wrestlers to earn medals. Joining him were teammates George Flores (sixth, 103), Joey Boone (fifth, 119) and Greg Prioleau (seventh, 171). Also placing in the elite mat showcase were Carlsbad’s Kurt Klimek (third, 275) and Fallbrook’s Joey Granata (eighth, 152).

The top three place-finishers earn All-American status. Poway’s Schavrien and Carlsbad’s Klimek are this year’s San Diego Section All-Americans.

Schavrien finished second at last year’s Reno Tournament of Champions to earn back-to-back All-American seasons. This time, he defeated the New Mexico state champion.

The Poway wresler had opened the season in the 130-pound weight class, capturing MVP Lower Weight honors at the El Dorado Holiday Invitational with four pins and one technical fall. The performance earned him a #2 state ranking in the weight class behind incumbent state champion Billy Murphy of Hughson. Murphy successfully defended his Reno Tournament of Champions title.

Klimek, who finished at last season’s San Diego Masters, defeated Mike Wardenn of Idaho Falls by a 10-6 decision to claim third place and become an All-American.

Boone recorded an injury default win against Royal High’s Kevin Dunn to receive fifth place while Prioleau pinned Carson’s Ahron Osheroff in 3:12 in his seventh-place match.

Flores dropped a 4-2 decision to Lehi’s Matt Spencer in their battle for third place while Granata lost a tight 3-2 decision to Sapulpa’s Kyle Blevins for seventh place.

Poway trailed in the team race, suggesting to some observers the Titans did not have the right stuff to repeat as state champions. But Poway — keyed by its four medalists — climbed the standings to finish as the top California team in third place, finishing 3.5 points ahead of Fremont.

Alamosa (Colorado), braced by two champions, captured this year’s team title ahead of Easton (Pennsylvania). Alamosa’s Sonny Yohn earned Outstanding Wrestler honors at 189 pounds after scoring a tiebreaker win.

A total of five California wrestlers came away with gold medals. Among them were Campolindo’s Nikko Triggas (112), Fremont’s Filip Novachkov (119), Hughson’s Billy Murphy (130) and Las Lomas’ Jason Welch (152).

Crater (Oregon) matched Alamosa with two champions: Cody Clark (215) and Charlie Alexander (275).