Lakewood’s Randy Gonzalez, Jr. continued his dream season last weekend at the CIF Southern Section Masters meet. Gonzalez, the CIF-SS champion at 285 pounds, took third at Masters to qualify for state.
Millikan’s Alex Andrade is also headed to state after finishing seventh at 132 pounds. Andrade was the runner-up at CIF the previous week.
Here’s more on Gonzalez’s CIF-SS championship:
After two years of disappointing losses in the CIF Eastern Division heavyweight finals, Lakewood High senior Randy Gonzalez Jr. got over the hump two weekends ago while adding to the Gonzalez family trophy case.
Gonzalez Jr. pinned all five of his opponents at Carter High School in Rialto to win the 285-pound championship. It is the fourth CIF title for the Gonzalez family. Gonzalez’s older brother, Zack, won last year. His coach and dad, Randy Sr., won back-to-back heavyweight titles in 1985-86.
“It feels really good because growing up all I heard about was my dad and brother’s success,” Gonzalez Jr. said. “I’m proud to be able to contribute to the legacy.”
Gonzalez Jr. had lost in the CIF finals as a sophomore and as a junior, but said he didn’t have any nerves headed into his third consecutive championship appearance.
“I knew what I could accomplish, so I just wrestled,” Gonzalez Jr. said.
“I wasn’t as nervous this year,” Gonzalez Sr. said of watching the final. “The kids are a lot bigger than when I was wrestling, and Randy is very physical and explosive. A lot of guys don’t know how to handle him.”
Gonzalez Sr. got a championship ring for Zack when he won, and got one for himself. He told Randy he would do the same for him.
“We’ve got to buy some rings this week,” Gonzalez Sr. said. “It’s very special. You’re a CIF champion forever. No one remembers who won the other tournaments.”
