The high school season is hitting the homestretch in one-class California, where less than a month remains before 14 state champions are crowned in Bakersfield. Here’s a look at some of the high-level contenders vying to reach the top of the podium for the first time. 

Mason Ontiveros (Pitman) — 175 pounds 

Ontiveros, an Oklahoma recruit, has proven to be a top-tier competitor, rising to #2 in the national rankings after knocking off Oklahoma standout Joseph Jeter in the Doc B semifinals. He’s a Fargo finalist and two-time California state runner-up. Ontiveros may have to contend with national #1 Mario Carini to get to the top of the podium in Bakersfield. 

Ashton Besmer (Buchanan) — 138 pounds 

Besmer is looking to track down his first California state title after making the U17 World Team last spring and representing the U.S. in Greece at 60 kilograms. The Army West Point recruit followed up a third-place showing at the Ironman in December by capturing his second Doc B title in January.  

Arseni Kikiniou (Poway) — 150 pounds 

Kikiniou medaled in both styles last summer at the U17 World Championships in Greece, where he claimed a silver in freestyle and a bronze in Greco-Roman. He’s trying to capture a gold at the California state meet. In order to do so, the Cornell commit will likely need to flip the script against St. John Bosco’s fifth-ranked Michael Romero, who downed Kikinou 2-1 earlier this season at the Reno Tournament of Champions on a stall call in the final minute.  

David Calkins (Liberty) — 215 pounds 

Calkins, an Iowa commit, fell one victory short of the podium at last year’s state tournament at 190. After a summer in which he claimed a U17 Greco World bronze, Calkins has climbed to #4 in the national rankings, one notch below fellow Californian Wes Burford, who placed third at last year’s state tournament. 

Jorge Rios (St. John Bosco) — 113 pounds 

Rios rocketed up the national rankings after a breakout performance at the Super 32, where he knocked off the top three seeds on his way to the title. Since then, he’s also added a Doc B title to his resume. After placing third last year at the state tournament, he’s a favorite to capture a title this year. 

Jonathan Rocha (Clovis North) — 215 pounds 

Rocha dropped a one-point match in last year’s state finals at 190. The Virginia Tech recruit is undefeated this year and posting a bonus-point rate of more than 90 percent. 

Joseph Toscano (Buchanan) — 144 pounds

Toscano is no stranger to the bright lights in Bakersfield, reaching the finals last year. The Cornell recruit, who’s ranked fourth nationally at 144, placed fourth in October at the Super 32. He’s one of the key figures on the top-ranked team in the Flo 40 national high school team rankings.