Complete list of High Desert CIF-SS Masters wrestling champs since 1983

[ASFN Admin]

Forty-two years of history. Twenty-four titles. Twenty champions.

From Victor Valley’s 1980s dominance to Paulo Valdez’s historic three-peat, the High Desert has built a four-decade legacy at CIF-Southern Section Masters.

Since 1983, when Masters' records in the CIF-SS record book begin, wrestlers from Victor Valley, Sultana, Barstow, Hesperia, Oak Hills and Granite Hills have claimed a championship on the final road to the state championships.

More High Desert Wrestling History: A look at the 40-year legacy of CIF-SS divisional champions

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The latest standard-bearer is Hesperia’s Paulo Valdez, who became the High Desert’s only three-time Masters champion, winning at three different weight classes from 2023 to 2025. His run added to a lineage that includes multiple two-time champions that left their mark in the local wrestling scene.

As this year’s tournament begins Friday at Sonora High School, in La Habra, here’s a look at the names of those 20 champions from the High Desert.

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The list belongs with Barstow’s Pete Barela, who went on to become the first of six state champions from the High Desert, which is highlighted by an asterisk.

• 1983 — Pete Barela, Barstow — Heavyweight*
• 1986 — Charlie Irick, Victor Valley — 103 pounds
• 1986 — Tom Henderson, Victor Valley — 152 pounds
• 1987 — Charlie Irick, Victor Valley — 119 pounds
• 1987 — Dan Henderson, Victor Valley — 145 pounds
• 1987 — Ray Leonard, Victor Valley — 125 pounds*
• 1988 — Dan Henderson, Victor Valley — 152 pounds
• 1990 — Blair Green, Victor Valley — 152 pounds*
• 1991 — Rod Ludington, Victor Valley — 152 pounds*
• 1996 — Lafo Apineru, Barstow — Heavyweight
• 1999 — Lionel Apineru, Barstow — Heavyweight*
• 2005 — Gabe Moore, Granite Hills — Heavyweight
• 2006 — Ryan Hoover, Hesperia — Heavyweight
• 2007 — Jarrod Brookshear, Sultana — 145 pounds
• 2008 — Cody Bollinger, Sultana — 140 pounds
• 2009 — Cody Bollinger, Sultana — 145 pounds
• 2010 — Justin Silva, Barstow — 119 pounds
• 2011 — Ryan McWatters, Sultana — 171 pounds
• 2012 — Corey Griego, Sultana — 152 pounds
• 2012 — Robert Marchese, Oak Hills — 195 pounds*
• 2014 — Corey Griego, Sultana — 182 pounds
• 2014 — Dylan Bollinger, Sultana — 195 pounds
• 2016 — Jesus Madrigal, Oak Hills — 220 pounds
• 2023 — Paulo Valdez, Hesperia — 106 pounds
• 2024 — Paulo Valdez, Hesperia — 113 pounds
• 2025 — Paulo Valdez, Hesperia — 120 pounds

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert Wrestling 42 years of CIF-SS Masters champions

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