MIDDLETOWN — That”s 36 in a row and counting for the Upper Lake High School wrestling team.
The Cougars completed their fourth straight undefeated regular season Wednesday night with Coastal Mountain Conference dual wins over Middletown (72-6) and Fort Bragg (48-24), closing out an 8-0 run in 2012. The three-time defending CMC champions can clinch a fourth straight conference title with a strong finish on Feb. 18 at the CMC Championships in Fort Bragg. Kelseyville (7-1) could force a tie by coming in first to Upper Lake”s second.
Fort Bragg defeated Middletown 39-36 in the other dual on Wednesday. Middletown closes out the CMC regular season at 4-4.
Upper Lake won seven of the nine contested weight divisions against Fort Bragg. Winners were Ward Beecher by 19-5 major decision at 140 pounds, Travis Coleman by first-round pin at 147 pins, Nick Davison by 25-9 technical fall at 154 pounds, Bruce Tucker by second-round pin at 162 pounds, Joey Valdez by first-round pin at 222 pounds, Tony Lopez by first-round pin at 114 pounds, and Zeke Mendoza by 12-6 decision at 122 pounds.
The Cougars had an even easier time against Middletown, winning all seven contested matches. The Mustangs” only points were the results of Upper Lake”s forfeiting at 122 pounds.
Upper Lake winners were Coleman by 18-7 decision at 147 pounds, Davidson by second-round pin at 154 pounds, Bradley Brackett by second-round pin at 162 pounds, Tucker by second-round pin at 172 pounds, Alex Kranich by first-round pin at 195 pounds, Lopez by second-round pin at 108 pounds, and Mendoza by first-round pin at 114 pounds.
Upper Lake returns to action Saturday in the North Coast Section Team Duals at Lower Lake High School. The Cougars, the three-time defending champs of the Team Duals, are one of eight teams competing for the Division III title (see story on Page A8). The others are California School for the Deaf, Athenian, St. Patrick/St. Vincent, Kelseyville, Stuart Hall, McKinleyville and Clear Lake. The teams will be seeded Saturday morning. Action begins at 10 a.m. in both the Carl Delgado and new Lower Lake gyms.
