RENO — Despite two tough losses by decision, Upper Lake High School wrestler Robbie Avery emerged with a fifth-place medal on Tuesday at the Reno Tournament.
Avery was the highest-placing Cougar at the tournament, which features many of the top high school grapplers from throughout the western United States. He was one of only three Upper Lake wrestlers to reach the second day of the event, quite an accomplishment in itself, according to head coach Tom Cox.
“Only the top 16 out of each (weight) bracket make it to the second day and each bracket has from 70 to 90 wrestlers,” Cox said.
Avery dominated his opponent in the fifth-place match, winning a 12-5 decision.
“He wrestled probably the best match he”s ever wrestled,” Cox said. “He dominated a very good opponent.”
Upper Lake 103-pounder James Lolonis and 189-pounder Brian Hatfield also made it through Monday”s qualifying rounds.
Lolonis ended up with a 6-2 record and just missed winning a medal, which are awarded to the top eight in each weight class.
“He finished in the top 10,” Cox said.
Hatfield, a senior, turned in his best effort of his four-year career at Upper Lake, finishing 5-2 and placing in the top 12.
“He wrestled out of his mind … he was phenomenal,” Cox said. “This was the best he”s ever wrestled.”
Hatfield has made considerable progress the last couple of years, according to Cox, who said his 189-pounder didn”t win a single match as a freshman or sophomore.
Avery, unseeded in what Cox called “the toughest weight division” at the tournament, posted a 4-0 record on Monday, including a victory in an outbracket match. He suffered his first loss on Tuesday, a 5-2 decision to a Nevada wrestler who hasn”t lost in two years and is ranked in the top five in the country, according to Cox. Avery bounced back with two more wins before dropping a 5-4 decision to an Oregon wrestler.
“Robbie outwrestled him,” Cox said. “But that guy wrestled a very strategic match.”
