Cristobal Gonzalez

There have been times when his coaches have felt like planting a headlock, as well as a celebratory embrace, on Cristobal Gonzalez. Motivation and discipline have never been strong suits of Gonzalez, a Moorpark College sophomore and among the best wrestlers to emerge from Ventura County. Yet, somehow, talent and victories have. Gonzalez, at 184 pounds, heads a strong Moorpark team poised to defend its state title this season.

There have been times when his coaches have felt like planting a headlock, as well as a celebratory embrace, on Cristobal Gonzalez. Motivation and discipline have never been strong suits of Gonzalez, a Moorpark College sophomore and among the best wrestlers to emerge from Ventura County. Yet, somehow, talent and victories have. Gonzalez, at 184 pounds, heads a strong Moorpark team poised to defend its state title this season.

Cristobal Gonzalez of Moorpark College, who finished second in the state in 1999 at 184 pounds, overpowered Will Goodman of Fresno, 19-3, at 197 pounds for the defending state champions in a 22-15 nonconference wrestling victory Wednesday night at Moorpark. Gonzalez recorded one of six victories for Moorpark (4-1). Michael Beckman of Fresno (3-2) defeated Shannan Sams, 13-9, at 174 to pull the Rams even, 12-12.

Cristobal Gonzalez of Moorpark College, who finished second in the state in 1999 at 184 pounds, overpowered Will Goodman of Fresno, 19-3, at 197 pounds for the defending state champions in a 22-15 nonconference wrestling victory Wednesday night at Moorpark. Gonzalez recorded one of six victories for Moorpark (4-1). Michael Beckman of Fresno (3-2) defeated Shannan Sams, 13-9, at 174 to pull the Rams even, 12-12.

In other Channel League openers: Dos Pueblos 19, Ventura 14--The Chargers (3-1) took an early 13-0 lead behind Van Wong, who ran for 31-yard touchdown and passed to Edgar Loza for a 26-yard touchdown. Ventura (1-3) was shut out until late in the third quarter, when offensive lineman Mark Martinez recovered a fumble by Cristobal Gonzalez in the end zone on the end of a 17-yard run to make the score 19-7.

BOYS CRISTOBAL GONZALEZ SCHOOL: Ventura SPORT: Wrestling YEAR: Senior SEASON AT A GLANCE: Gonzalez won 56 of 59 matches en route to becoming Ventura High's first state champion and the first from the region since 1985. Gonzalez, who qualified for the state tournament in Stockton each of his three varsity seasons, won the Channel League championship for the third consecutive time and the Southern Section Division I title for the second consecutive season.

Takedowns translate into tackles. A touchdown feels an awful lot like a pin. So says Ventura High senior Cristobal Gonzalez, who finished third in the state wrestling championships at 189 pounds last season. Thanks to some prodding by his friend and teammate Joe Martinez, Gonzalez is putting on the pads for the first time since his freshman year. His varsity debut was a smash.

Forty-five wrestlers have tried in vain to defeat Cristobal Gonzalez of Ventura High this season. Gonzalez even gave it a shot and failed. Fortunately Gonzalez was able to prevent self-destruction and the wayward wrestler found his way to Stockton, where he will compete today and Saturday in the state wrestling finals at University of the Pacific.

A 32-year-old Bonita man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to posting a threat against San Diego State University students on his website. The threat was posted in the wake of the killings at Virginia Tech. Cristobal Fernando Gonzalez said the threat was a hoax to draw attention to his website. He faces a possible five years in prison when sentenced Sept. 4.

BOYS CRISTOBAL GONZALEZ SCHOOL: Ventura SPORT: Wrestling YEAR: Senior SEASON AT A GLANCE: Gonzalez won 56 of 59 matches en route to becoming Ventura High's first state champion and the first from the region since 1985. Gonzalez, who qualified for the state tournament in Stockton each of his three varsity seasons, won the Channel League championship for the third consecutive time and the Southern Section Division I title for the second consecutive season.

In other Channel League openers: Dos Pueblos 19, Ventura 14--The Chargers (3-1) took an early 13-0 lead behind Van Wong, who ran for 31-yard touchdown and passed to Edgar Loza for a 26-yard touchdown. Ventura (1-3) was shut out until late in the third quarter, when offensive lineman Mark Martinez recovered a fumble by Cristobal Gonzalez in the end zone on the end of a 17-yard run to make the score 19-7.

Takedowns translate into tackles. A touchdown feels an awful lot like a pin. So says Ventura High senior Cristobal Gonzalez, who finished third in the state wrestling championships at 189 pounds last season. Thanks to some prodding by his friend and teammate Joe Martinez, Gonzalez is putting on the pads for the first time since his freshman year. His varsity debut was a smash.

Forty-five wrestlers have tried in vain to defeat Cristobal Gonzalez of Ventura High this season. Gonzalez even gave it a shot and failed. Fortunately Gonzalez was able to prevent self-destruction and the wayward wrestler found his way to Stockton, where he will compete today and Saturday in the state wrestling finals at University of the Pacific.

There were few surprises during Saturday's Channel League wrestling finals at Ventura High. Powerful Dos Pueblos, with five wrestlers claiming individual titles, placed first among six teams. Ventura, which lost to Dos Pueblos, 38-20, on Thursday in the final dual meet of the season, finished second with four champions. As expected, standouts Ati Conner of Dos Pueblos (152 pounds) and Jesse Bautista of Rio Mesa (130) toyed with opponents while recording lopsided victories.

A 32-year-old Bonita man was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to six months in custody and a $1,500 fine for posting what he called a hoax on his website threatening violence at San Diego State. Cristobal Fernando Gonzalez said the threat, posted in the wake of the shooting rampage in which a gunman killed 33 people at Virginia Tech last April, was meant to draw attention to his website. As part of his sentence, Gonzalez was ordered to take a business ethics course.