EUREKA — Robby Hammers won the 154-pound title while leading the Clear Lake Cardinals to the team championship on Saturday during the North Coast Classic in Eureka.
Making a late push, the Cardinals passed Foothill High School (Palo Cedro) and Shasta High (Redding) to capture the team trophy.
“At one point we dropped to fifth,” Clear Lake coach Ronnie Campos said.
Pins by Ryan Blyleven (114 pounds), Jake Humble (127), Brandon Holt (132) and Mike Reynolds (189) in third-place matches pushed the Cardinals to the top of the standings, according to Campos.
Three Clear Lake wrestlers reached the finals in their respective weight classes. Besides Hammers, who pinned all of his opponents, Matt Lockwood (173) and Roberto Morfin (215) came in second.
Fourth-place medals went to sophomore Matt Engle at 142 pounds and Shawn Larsen at 189 pounds.
Nathan Powers, a freshman, came in sixth at 147 pounds to win his first medal. Engle”s medal at 142 pounds also was his first at the varsity level.
Clear Lake opens its Coastal Mountain Conference schedule on Wednesday evening in Middletown against the host Mustangs. Point Arena will also take part in the competition. Action begins at 5 p.m.
