WILLITS— Forty three Gladiators laced up their shoes and went off to battle at the 4th Annual Bob Colvig Invitational and came home with a 3rd place finish at Willits High School on Sunday, January 21.
The Gladiators had 11 1st, 16 2nd, 15 3rd, 9 4th, and 1 5th. They had a season high 76 wins along with 57 of them resulting in a pin.
Those who took home gold included Jameson Philpot, Colin Crow, Thomas Philpot, Kailaya Philpot (2), Brantley Paminto (2), Joseph Szupello, Brayden Paminto, Laylony Barocio, and Zamod Jackson
Coming in 2nd were Maverick Paminto, Elijah Tucker, Kaitlyn Crow, Thomas Philpot, John Young, Tyler Luciano, Brayden Paminto, Kameron Colston, Djoser Williams, LeRoy Hopkins, Riley Givens, Logun Whittle, Ryder White Eagle, Hayden Janssen, Sade Cook, and Zamod Jackson.
Finishing 3rd were Colin Crow, Maverick Paminto, Hector Baracio, Branson Whittle (2), Kaitlyn Crow, Ayden Santiago, Brian Patrick, Judah O’ Keefe, Sebastian James, Averie Stiles, Navaeh Baracio, Said Flores, Michael Garner, Ryder White Eagle, Michael Cox.
Finishing 4th were Jessie Richardson, Harper Stiles, Evelyn Szupello, Brayan Carranza, Brian Cosigua, Fredrick Jeffries, Jackie Gudino, Logun Whittle, Sade Cook. Finishing 5th Logan Olivares.
“These kids continue to compete and bring it all to the mat each week. Getting your hand raised during the match is an awesome feeling but what really excites me is the wrestler who finally is successful in the moves they practice each day. The adversity that these kids go through isn’t easy but they never give up. They are hungry, they strive to push themselves but they also show camaraderie with their fellow teammates. This club has become more and more like a family and I couldn’t be more happy with how the Gladiators exhibited themselves on and off the mat.” Coach Peter Stephan
Team scores:
- 1st Willits Grapplin Pack- 506.5
- 2nd Ukiah Wrestling Club- 438.5
- 3rd Gladiator Wrestling- 435.5
CORE Wrestlers win more hardware at the 4th Annual Bob Colvig Invitational in Willits.
Taking home first place medals were Ryan Ramirez, Tucker Heywood, Richie Occhino, Ethan Maine and Jesse Saldaña. Earning second place medals were Wyatt Hooten, Sampson Wetmore, Alexxis Castiallanos and Zack Haas. Third place finishes went to Carter Campbell and Araceli Garcia with Eric Holley and Camden Wylie finishing 4th.
Coach Danny Cuellar said, “As coaches, we are proud of the fight these kids brought on Sunday as a team. Wrestlers went 25-21, falling short of a team trophy, but it was a great learning experience for all of CORE’s wrestlers.”
“First of all, all our wrestlers are improving and looking good, but Tucker Heywood’s last match stood out to me. It was exciting and full of action and he came home with the gold!” Coach Daniel Hooten stated.
“CORE Wrestling continues to show their commitment on the mat and their readiness showed this Sunday with our winnings.” said Coach Pedro Garrido about this last tournament. Coach Thaddeus Wetmore is “proud of our kids – it’s a young team and watching them grow is a delight!”
CORE Wrestlers will split up and head to separate tournaments this Sunday, January 28, 2024. Part of the group will go to Ukiah Valley’s TOC Qualifier Enter the Den while a few others will hit the mat at Top Fuelers Winter Classic in Red Bluff.
