With nine of its members competing in the State Championships this weekend, the Cerritos College wrestling team has a good chance to win the team championship.

The Falcons qualified for the state meet, which will take place Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Santa Rosa Junior College, by finishing in eighth place or better in nine out of ten weight classes in the Southern California regional Nov. 17.

Cerritos, which does not have a wrestler in the heavyweight class, finished second as a team to Moorpark by one and one-half points.

Moorpark and Fresno City will have wrestlers entered in all ten weight classes, and Palomar and West Valley, like Cerritos, have nine wrestlers competing in the state meet.

Andy Tuffnell, who qualified for state by finishing second at 174 pounds, said that he is “going out to have a good time at the championhips.”

He added that his teammates are geared up, and should win the team championship.

“If not, then we did our best.”

Tuffnell will face Chris Davis of Sacramento City College in his first match.

Andy Lopez, who qualified at 165 pounds, said “I have a better chance at state (than in the regional),” because he is in better shape now, and where he finishes will depend on “how I feel that day.”

He also expects the team to “do pretty well,” because “Everybody’s in good shape” and in a “mental state where everybody wants to win.”

Lopez will wrestle Keith Ilie of Modesto, who is ranked fourth in the state.

Josh Johnson (141 pounds) and Steven Garcia (149 pounds) are ranked No. 1 in the state, and each finished first in the regional.

Johnson will open the tournament against Bret Wilmes of Cuesta College, and Garcia will open against Tony Ly of Delta College.

Anthony Rodriguez, who finished second in the regional at 125 pounds, will face James Moralez of Sacramento City in the first round.

Damacio Page, who finished third at 133 pounds, will wrestle Robert Pacheco of West Valley.

Gabriel Barragan, ranked fourth in the state at 157 pounds, will open with Craig Martin of Sacramento City.

Tad Millane, who took sixth place in the regional at 184 pounds, goes up against Justin Byxbe of Shasta College, who is ranked sixth in the state.

DeRon Ward, who finished fourth at 197 pounds and is ranked eighth in the state, will compete against Kris Schwartz of Skyline College, with the winner taking on Santa Rosa’s Nate Loughran , who is ranked third in the state.