FREMONT — Ward Beecher advanced to the quarterfinals and three other Upper Lake High School wrestlers are still alive in the consolation bracket through day one of the prestigious Mission San Jose Invitational at Fremont.
“We have four guys through to the second day,” a happy Upper Lake coach Tom Cox said. “Last year we had two. I”m very pleased.
“It”s a very tough tournament and this year it”s tougher than it”s been,” Cox added of an invitational field that includes state powerhouses Clovis and Clovis West out of Fresno.
“Nevada has also sent some of its top wrestlers,” Cox said.
Beecher won each of his first two matches Friday and will open today in the quarterfinals at 132 pounds.
Other Upper Lake survivors from day one were Travis Coleman, who went 3-1 at 121 pounds; Bruce Tucker, who went 2-1 at 142 pounds; and the surprise of the tournament for the Cougars, heavyweight Jacob Warner, who is 2-1.
“He pinned the No. 6 seed in his first match, lost, then pinned the guy in his next match,” Cox said. “Jacob wrestled real well today.”
