POCATELLO, IDAHO >> Don’t triple-dog dare Junior Fernandez, the new triple crown threat of the Golden State Wrestling Club of Upper Lake.
Fernandez, the North Coast Section runner-up at 126 pounds last season as a sophomore standout on the Upper Lake High School wrestling team, pulled down his second USA Wrestling triple crown award on Wednesday during his final day of competition at the Kids and Cadet Western Regionals at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho.
During his stay in Pocatello, Fernandez competed in freestyle, folkstyle and Greco Roman styles of wrestling in the 126-pound cadet division and won first-place medals in all three styles to earn a triple crown gold belt buckle. That’s in addition to the freestyle, folkstyle and Greco Roman championships he won earlier during California USA Wrestling State Finals in all three styles, which earned him his first triple crown award.
During his time in Pocatello, Fernandez dominated the competition to the tune of 13 wins in 13 matches, all by technical fall or pin. He was one of eight California wrestlers at the tournament, which was held in Holt Arena, to win a triple crown belt buckle.
Golden State wrestlers Christina Wilson and Adriana Lopez, both section and state medalists for Upper Lake High School last season, also were in action at Pocatello. Wilson competed in all three styles at 138 pounds, finishing first in folkstyle and third in both freestyle and Greco. Lopez, competing at 122 pounds, barely missed medals in all three styles, going 2-2 in all three.
“I’m so extremely proud of these kids, but especially my son,” Golden State Wrestling Club coach Jose Fernandez said.
Junior Fernandez returns home Friday but won’t be there long as he leaves Sunday morning for a 12-day cultural exchange wrestling trip to Japan.
