FRESNO — A group of nine freshmen and sophomore wrestlers from Upper Lake and Clear Lake high schools participated in an open tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Fresno.
Modeled after the CIF State Championships a week earlier in Bakersfield, the top eight finishers in each weight class receive medals.
Nathan Powers represented Clear Lake at 145 pounds while Thomas Alfaro Santana (heavyweight), Luke Mai (135), Trevor Warren (160), Jon Carlson (heavyweight), Travis Coleman (125), Tony Lopez (103), Ward Beecher (135) and Joey Valdez (215) represented Upper Lake.
Valdez did the best, placing fifth with a 5-2 record. He recorded four straight first-round pins during one stretch and reached the semifinals in the championship bracket before suffering his first loss.
Missing a medal by the margin of one win and finishing in the top 12 of their weight brackets were Coleman and Lopez, both with 5-2 records, and Beecher, who was 6-2.
Warren and Carlson each went 1-2 as did Powers, whose only two losses came to top-eight finishers. Going 0-2 were Santana and Mai.
Coaching the wrestlers were Upper Lake High head coach Tom Cox and assistant coach Ron Campos and Clear Lake High head coach Ronnie Campos.
All wrestlers in Lake County are welcome to join the Northshore Wrestling Club, which will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. at the Upper Lake High School wrestling room. Call Cox at 235-4183 for more information.
