Back in the day, gladiators fought in Rome’s Colosseum.

The toughest kids in California entertain the masses at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

Multiple area high school wrestlers will compete this Friday and Saturday at the CIF State Wrestling Championships.

Saul Garcia of Moorpark, Behdod Katebian of Thousand Oaks, Camarillo’s Matt Hickman and Royal’s Edward Ruiz are making their second straight trip to the state tournament.

Erik Hasan of Simi Valley qualified for his first state championship while Agoura’s Michael Kairouz was one victory away from punching his ticket.

“It’s a special tournament,” Garcia said.

To prepare for the big event, Garcia, Katebian and Hickman trained together at Thousand Oaks High’s wrestling room on Tuesday. The trio planned a similar workout Wednesday at Camarillo.

“We all have goals to place at state. When you get in the room, it gets competitive,” Katebian said of the all-star practice. “It’s a good atmosphere. It’s fun wrestling the higher level kids.”

Garcia said he enjoyed working out with Katebian and Hickman because they are technically sound wrestlers.

Garcia, who was one win away from placing at state in 2009, nabbed third place among 130-pound grapplers at the CIFSouthern Section Masters meet at Temecula Valley last weekend.

Moorpark head coach Tony Knight said he was impressed with Garcia’s showing.

“He did really well at Masters by staying relaxed and being mentally focused and adapting to his opponents,” Knight said. “He’ll probably place this year for sure.”

Katebian, who also competes at 130 pounds, took fifth at Masters.

The senior was the first grappler to qualify for two state tournaments during head coach Kerry Lyne’s 10-year tenure at TOHS.

“I feel like he’s poised to make a big run this weekend,” Lyne said.

Katebian is looking forward to Bakersfield, but he’s not too anxious.

“Last year it was such a big deal going to state,” Katebian said. “This year I’m more relaxed.”

Thousand Oaks senior Brandon Jansen, who suffered a dislocated elbow and a sprained knee this season, went 2-2 in the 189-pound bracket at Masters.

“He definitely improved his wrestling from last year,” Lyne said of Jansen. “It was a good finish to a frustrating year for him.”

Hasan picked up two pins en route to going 5-3 and taking sixth at Masters at 171. His twin brother, Kyle, started strong at 189 pounds with a 10-0 win but lost his next two matches at Temecula Valley.

Erik Hasan broke Simi Valley’s single-season pins record at Masters.

“If Erik wrestles to his potential and gets a few breaks, he might be able to medal,” Simi Valley head coach Guy Greene said. “His brother Kyle has had a bum knee for the last three weeks. He’s been unable to train or condition. . . .

He’ll be up there rooting his brother on.”

Hickman, a junior, went 5-0 at Masters to clinch the 145pound crown. The Scorpion beaTemecula Valley’s Marco Decaro 7-5 in the title bout.

Ruiz secured fifth in the 112-pound bracket. Highlander Justin Goldberg (140) lost both of his matches at Masters.

Kairouz had a grueling two days at Temecula Valley, going 4-3 overall. The 152-pounder lost 3-1 in the ninth-place match to Elvis Arce of Northview. The top nine grapplers in each weighearned trips to state.

Charger teammate and fellow senior Ben Wolhaupter went 2-2 in the 140-pound bracket.

For the grapplers whose seasons continue, they will leave everything out on the mat.

“I’m bumping up my training a bit,” Katebian said. “I’m going to go really hard these next few days to get ready.”