Plymire, Millsap Take State Titles : Moorpark College Wrestlers Work Overtime for Victories

Heavyweight Vince Plymire of Moorpark College had ample incentive in his title bid Saturday night at the state wrestling championships at El Camino College.

In addition to wanting to improve his chances of earning a scholarship to a Division I college, Plymire also hoped to become the first Moorpark wrestler in 10 years to win 2 consecutive state titles.

Unfortunately for Plymire, his opponent in the heavyweight finals, Randy Gonzalez of Cypress, also had an added incentive. Gonzalez wanted to avenge his loss to Plymire in the South-Central regional final last week.

But it was Plymire who rallied for a dramatic 8-1 overtime victory. Plymire tied the score in the final 20 seconds of regulation to force overtime.

Eric Millsap (118 pounds) won a second state title for Moorpark by scoring a 3-2 overtime decision over Robert Kawamura of Rio Hondo.

The Moorpark sophomore probably had the most exciting Raider match. Millsap, who lost to Kawamura in the regional final, rallied to tie at the end of regulation and won on a 2-point takedown with 15 seconds left in overtime.

Moorpark freshman Serge Mezheritsky lost a 6-4 decision to Antonio McKee of Cerritos, ranked No. 1 in the state, to place second at 142 pounds.

Mezheritsky (32-3), who was ranked No. 2 at 142, wrestled McKee (29-0) for the first time.

“The guy is a great wrestler,” Moorpark Coach John Keever said of McKee. “Serge did not really do what we wanted him to in the first period with his takedowns, but he was a little nervous.”

In earlier matches, Moorpark’s Carson Wollert (190 pounds) placed fourth after losing a 4-2 decision to Leo Garand of Cypress. Wollert had defeated Garand for the regional title last week.

Manuel Gallegos of Moorpark placed sixth at 158 pounds after losing a 13-6 decision to Ociel Zarate of Fresno.

Palomar won the team championship and Moorpark placed fifth.