AMERICAN CANYON, Calif. – Saturday, April 16, was the 19th annual United States Girls Wrestling Association (USGWA) and United States Boys Wrestling Association (USBWA) National Championship Tournament.

This year’s event was also attended by international team members from the Philippines.

Both the USGWA / USBWA are each separated into three divisions – elementary, middle and high school – with medals awarded to the top six placers in each division’s weight classes.

Brother Jacob Pyorre (120 pounds, Boys High School Division) and sister Mavis Pyorre (103 pounds, Girls Middle School Division) from Lakeport began the day recognized by the tournament director in the opening ceremonies as siblings getting a chance to compete together in this national wrestling family community.

Then, after some tough battles Jacob won a third place USBWA medal and Mavis won a fourth place USGWA medal. 

Jacob’s first match was against the eventual champion Anthony Arcilla Jr. of Safehouse Wrestling from Manila, Philippines and was beating him 2 to 1 at the end of the second period.

Jacob took down in the third period, almost had a switch, then tried again, but forced too much and got sucked back losing near fall points; he fought to the end, but ran out of time. Jacob gave the champ his toughest match of the day, but lost 2-4.

Next up Jacob pinned an opponent from Vallejo, with a nice double leg lift to a half. In another match Jacob was up 6-2 in the second period against an opponent from American Canyon, got a little tired and lost a quick escape and takedown.

Up 6-5 starting the third period, Jacob then fell behind 6-10, but fought back with a switch and turned his opponent to his back. Jacob was only able to get 2 near fall points, sending the match into over time, tied at 10 -10.

The battle for the winning takedown was on. Each wrestler was exhausted, but continued to shoot, block and spin. Jacob’s arm ended an awkward position losing the takedown, the match 10-12 in OT and unfortunately reinjuring his elbow, leaving him in quite a bit of pain. Jacob finished the tournament winning the 3rd Place USBWA Medal.

Mavis’s first match was against Colts wrestler Emma Lopez, this year’s Girls State 103 pound silver medalist from Fairfield.

Mavis was beating her 2-0 going into second period, driving her around the mat, but got a little too high, held on too long, got caught and pinned.

Next match Mavis pinned her Vallejo HMS Springtowne Lady Wildcat opponent with a nice duck under to a modified barbed wire. Then (with the round order messed up) Mavis wrestled the eventual champion and this year’s Girls State fourth place medalist at 107 pounds, Miranda DiBenedetto from Double Dragon Wrestling in Sacramento.

Mavis had to fight out of a vicious head and arm a couple times, then in the second period Mavis scored a reversal, gave an escape, got a takedown with 3 near fall points and almost pinned her opponent. Mavis held her scoreless in the third period and won the match 9-4. Mavis was the only one to beat the champion DiBenedetto at the tournament.

The next match (the original round opponent) was against a hometown American Canyon wrestler and Mavis was called up just as she finished wrestling her previous match. At the end of the first period Mavis was up 4-2. In the second period Mavis rode her all over the mat, but just missed near fall by a count.

In the third period the opponent got an escape, but Mavis was still up 4-3. Then, Mavis received a penalty point because her opponent was grabbing her head gear and was up 5-3. The opponent came in fast and aggressive to the head again. Mavis a little tired and worn, tried to fight off the takedown, but similar to her first match, held on too long and was caught, losing the match by fall.

Mavis finished the tournament winning the fourth place USGWA medal. 

“Both Jacob and Mavis had some close exciting matches throughout the day, while some did not go their way; I am extremely proud how hard they fought. A couple mistakes is all that kept them from the championship; all very fixable,” said their dad and coach, Rick Pyorre.