ROYAL CITY - Royal High School scored the largest number of titles at the South Central A Conference East District Wrestling Tournament at Connell Saturday but didn't have the manpower for the team title.

The Knights took five championships to top Kiona-Benton's four, but Ki-Be had six second places to one for Royal to win the title. Still Royal coach Seth Weeks was excited about the near sweep in the final round. It gave his club second place with 169.5 points.

It also signals possible good things to come at the regional meet this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Zillah. The Knights should be in a battle with Granger and Zillah for that title.

The title winners at Connell were Brian Gallardo at 106 pounds, Carlos Hernandez at 120, Danny Barajas at 132, Alex Myrick at 160 and Damien DeLaRosa at 182. Laddie Goroski just missed, taking second at 145.

In addition, Royal qualified Christian DeLaRosa, Trevor Mianecki and Emilio Bustos for regionals. Christian DeLaRosa took third at 113, Bustos took third at 152 and Mianecki finished fourth at 138.

The most exciting match of the day marked the return of Damien DeLaRosa to state title form. In his best effort of the year, he pinned Matt McCallum of Kiona-Benton in double overtime.

DeLaRosa was a state champ last year at 119, but he grew this year. He had to compete at 132, and he lost a few matches, including two with McCallum.

"Moving up was tough," DeLaRosa said. "These guys are a lot stronger."

DeLaRosa pointed to the post season with extra weight room time. He strengthened his upper body and arms. He needed all of that against McCallum in a match that wore both boys out.

Neither boy scored in the first period. DeLaRosa took a 1-0 lead with an escape in the second and held it until one minute remained in the third.

McCallum scored an escape at that point and tied the score. Then the two combatants waged a non-scoring battle to the end of regulation. They did the same in the one-minute over time.

DeLaRosa struck like lightning in the 30-second overtime. McCallum moved for a throw and DeLaRosa countered to get behind him for a takedown.

That move took McCallum to his back, and DeLaRosa scored three points to lead, 6-1, before scoring the pin with 10 seconds left.

DeLaRosa sprang from the mat, thrust his arms high and then started hugging anyone in sight. He knew he was ready for another state title run.