LAKEPORT — One year after dominating the Coastal Mountain Conference with a veteran club, the Upper Lake High School wrestling team has a decidedly younger look this season.
The Cougars are so young that 24 members of their 30-wrestler roster took to the mats Saturday for the annual CMC Novice Tournament at Clear Lake High in Lakeport.
“Hard work is finally starting to pay off for a lot of these kids,” Upper Lake coach Tom Cox said of the team”s many freshmen who worked hard this past summer and in previous summers getting ready for their high school debut. “The kids wrestled very, very well. I was ecstatic.”
Medals were awarded to the top three wrestlers in each weight class. The Cougars brought home six firsts, six seconds and two thirds.
Winning their weight divisions were Travis Coleman (119 pounds), Will Stiles (125), Robert Simondi (130), Ward Beecher (135), Bruce Tucker (145) and Bradley Brackett (160). Tucker posted a 4-0 record to earn Upper Lake wrestler of the week honors.
Second-place medals went to Nick Mia (130), Josh Gray (145), Austin Steptoe (160), James McCloud (170), Daniel Driscoll (189) and Cory Barnett (215).
Earning thirds were Andrew Frazier (189) and Jon Karlsson (215).
Upper Lake had six other wrestlers place fourth. They were Luke Mia (130) Adrian Olea (152), Charlie Coburn (171), Alex Kronich (189), Javier Gonzalez (215) and Anthony Steel (215).
The entire Upper Lake team, rookies and veterans, competes in the McKinleyville Tournament on Saturday.
Editor”s note: Upper Lake was the only school to report its Novice results to the Record-Bee.
