VIRGINIA BEACH — After a promising start in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Upper Lake High School’s Junior Fernandez sustained a dislocated shoulder in a semifinal-round loss to No. 2 seed Cole Mattin of Team Ohio during the 2019 NHSCA High School National at the Viriginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach.
Fernandez, the No. 3 seed representing Team California, won all three of his matches in dominating fashion Friday to reach Saturday’s 132-pound quarterfinals round where he edged Marckis Branford of Team Pennsylvania 6-5.
Later in the day against Mattin in the semifinals, Fernandez was pinned in the first round when the injury occurred. He was unable to continue and medically forfeited for a sixth-place finish.
“He’s doing OK,” said Jose Fernandez, Junior’s dad and coach at Upper Lake High School where he placed fifth in the CIF State Championships last month in Bakersfield to become the first Upper Lake boy and one of only a handful of county boys wrestlers to win a state medal. “His shoulder is extremely sore. I’m going to make him an ortho appointment to get it checked out.”
Brayden Palmer of Team Tennessee went on to beat Mattin in the 132-pound championship match.
Fernandez may have to skip the USA Wrestling Freestyle State Championships April 12-14 in Fresno as a result of the injury, which would have been his final tournament as a Upper Lake High School student.
“If his shoulder feels good he can definitely petition to be on the Fargo team in July,” Fernandez said. “He won’t risk it before hes ready to compete without limitations.”
Fernandez, among the most successful boys wrestlers in the county’s history, graduates from Upper Lake on May 31. He is headed to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo to continue his education and wrestling career.
