REDDING — Robbie Avery”s goal is to be standing on the medal platform at the CIF State Championships on March 7.
“That”s a lofty goal, a very lofty goal,” Upper Lake coach Tom Cox said of his senior wrestler. “But he”s determined to do it and I wouldn”t be surprised.”
Avery, competing in the 140-pound division over the weekend at the Foothill Tournament in Redding, certainly proved he deserves to be in the discussion for a state medal after placing third against a field of wrestlers that included many of the standouts in the Central Section and Sac-Joaquin Section.
“Robbie”s beaten a lot of good kids as a wrestler but he”s never had that signature match,” Cox said
Until now, that is.
Avery beat the No. 4-ranked wrestler in the state in his weight division, Ben Mardell of Casa Robles, and lost to the No. 3-ranked wrestler, Jesse Stafford of Del Oro, en route to his third-place finish. He also won a 3-2 triple-overtime decision against James Wilson, who is ranked in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
“The Central Section is the best in the state and Sac-Joaquin is the second best,” Cox said. “So third place is a pretty solid showing.”
Now 28-6 on the season after going 48-5 last year, Avery”s record is more impressive this season, according to Cox, because of the abundance of quality opponents he”s faced.
“Last year he wrestled like nine quality opponents and this year it”s more than 20,” Cox said.
Avery won his first three matches at Foothill, the third being the win over Wilson. He then lost to Stafford by a 4-1 decision.
“It was more a difference of styles,” Cox said of the two wrestlers. “Robbie is stronger on his feet. Ron (Campos, Upper Lake High”s assistant coach) thinks if they meet again down the road, Robbie will win.”
Avery bounced back from the loss to Stafford with two straight wins, the final one a 5-1 decision over Mardell.
“Robbie took it to him, he dominated him,” Cox said.
Both wrestlers competed at the Reno Tournament earlier this year but did not meet. Mardell came in third to Avery”s fifth.
Avery was one of six Upper Lake wrestlers to compete at Foothill but the only one to bring home a medal.
Randy Dickinson went 4-2 at 215 pounds and missed placing by a single win.
“Best he”s ever wrestled,” Cox said.
James Lolonis, competing at 103 pounds, also went 4-2, while 160-pounder Ben Britton went 3-2.
Two other Cougars didn”t qualify for the second day of the tournament.
Upper Lake hosts its only meet of the season Wednesday against Middletown at Fort Bragg. Beating both teams would put the Cougars on track to win the Coastal Mountain Conference Championship after their sweep of Clear Lake and St. Helena last week in St. Helena.
Upper Lake will send a split squad to the Sutter Tournament on Saturday.
Team notes: Cox missed the Foothill Tournament because wife Lori gave birth to the couple”s second child on Thursday at Ukiah Valley Medical Center. Chloe Ann Augustine was born at 9:49 a.m. and weighed 9 pounds, 10 ounces. Mom, dad and older sister Hannah, 4, welcomed Chloe into the family.
Campos filled in for Cox at the Foothill Tournament.
“He did an awesome job with the kids,” Cox said. “I received like 100 phone calls from him during the tournament.”
