Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Los Gatos wrestling sensation Rohner Segnitz, working for a win in this match against Cupertino, pinned at 171 pounds to help the Wildcats to a win over Fremont. He came back later in the week to a win a title at the Root Classic.

Upper weights crush Fremont

Segnitz, Smith roll to titles at Jim Root Classic

By Dick Sparrer

Cupertino fell for it a couple of weeks back. And Fremont fell for it last week.

Both the Pioneers and Firebirds enjoyed a false sense of accomplishment when they opened up early leads against the Los Gatos wrestling teams.

But an early lead isn't nearly enough for teams battling the Wildcats this season. Because it's in the upper weights where the hammer really falls on enemy teams.

The Firebirds led 25-12 with six matches left to wrestle in last week's dual match in the De Anza Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League. But Gatos crushed the 'Birds in those last six bouts, winning three by pin and another by a major division.

The six wins in a row helped Gatos clinch a 46-25 win over Fremont. The Cats are now 2-0 in the division and 8-4 for the year.

Three consecutive pins by Scott Stowell, Jeff Chestnut and Rohner Segnitz started the Wildcats on the road to the lopsided win over the Firebirds.

Fremont opened up a quick lead in the match with a pin and two decision wins to open the night.

Dan Benedetti and Ken Troquato-Perotti evened things at 12-12 with back-to-back falls at 125 and 130. Benedetti pinned quickly in 46 seconds at 125 pounds, and Troquato-Perotti followed by pinning with just 28 seconds in the first round at 130.

Fremont put together three more wins to go up 25-12 in the team score, but Gatos erased that lead in a hurry with the three straight victories.

Stowell pinned with just eight seconds left in the second round at 152 pounds, and Chestnut pinned in the second round at 160.

Segnitz, a senior sensation for the Cats, pinned with 30 seconds remaining in the second round at 171 pounds to put Gatos on top for good, 30-25.

Fred Luminoso and Kyle Smith were forfeit winners at 189 and 215, and Mike Belsheim wrapped up the victory with a 10-0 major decision win at heavyweight.

Los Gatos backed up the dual-match win with an outstanding showing last Saturday at the Jim Root Classic at West Valley Community College.

Six Cats placed, two of them winning individual titles, to lead Gatos to a second-place finish in the team standings behind Oak Grove.

The Eagles ran up 197.5 points to win the team title at the Root Classic, with Gatos second at 156 and Aragon third.

Segnitz and Smith each nailed individual championships in the tourney. Segnitz was a champ at 171 pounds, and Smith cruised to a title at 215.

Luminoso ended up third at 189 pounds for the Cats, with Chestnut fourth at 160, Belsheim fourth at heavyweight and Benedetti fifth at 125.

Leigh's Kevin Krall won an individual title at 189 pounds, upsetting Luminoso along the way.

Leigh returns to league action this week after a week away from competition in the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. The Longhorns were set to host Willow Glen on Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m., in a battle for first place in the division.

Leigh's frosh-soph squad will compete in the Del Mar Tournament on Jan. 23.

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