Thursday, 28 March 2024

Seven Cardinal Wrestlers advance to North Coast Sections; team takes third place trophy at Coastal Mountain Conference Finals

Clear Lake High School’s Cardinals wrestling team took third place at the Coastal Mountain Conference Finals Championship Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, February 15, 2020, in Lower Lake, California. Pictured are, left to right, back row, Coach Rick Pyorre, Coach Chris Clarkin, Drake Chesebro, Asher Reese, Raymond Gonzales-Shoaf, Ayden Williamson, Elijah Alvarez, Hayden Fowler, Liam Davis, Nathan Pyorre, Mohammad Akbari, Anthony Gersalia, Vicente Ortega, Dominic Legendre, Mavis Pyorre, Victor Ortega and Rodolfo Arias. Front row, Kiley Bartell, Isaac Vigil, Christopher Krack, Nicholas Williamson, Head Coach Nathan Powers, Hernan Romero, Ashley Pyorre, Tara Wong, Ximena Soto and Coach Tyler Hayes. Courtesy photo.


LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Clear Lake Cardinals ended their regular season as exciting as it began, bringing home one more Tournament Team Trophy.

The Cardinals were able to fill 12 of the 14 available weight classes to compete at the Coastal Mountain Conference Finals Championship Wrestling Tournament.

The top three placers qualify to advance to the North Coast Sections Championships.

As the Cardinals’ final regular season tournament came to an end, they finished with 11 in the top four places and seven medalists: two seconds, five thirds and the third-place team trophy, just behind Willits (2nd), Lower Lake (1st) and over teams Upper Lake (4th) Cloverdale (5th ).

“Just like that! CMC third place! Two second-place finalists, five third-place medalists. Amazing to see the growth commitment and dedication make! With the Cardinals sending seven section qualifiers and four alternates headed down to Union City to represent CLHS in the North Coast Section Championships,” said Head Coach Nathan Powers.

Powers said it was an intense day with a lot of great matches. “No tournament has the same feel as CMC because all of our hard work and focus is dedicated to our performance on this day. With only the top three securing a spot at the next level the cardinals showed great strength in some tough matches,” he said.

Out of 12 wrestlers, seven made the cut. Five freshmen and two sophomore qualifiers are headed to the section finals, with another four given a potential opportunity as alternates, Power said.

“This young team is excited for the new experience that lies ahead as it is a great step in their evolution as they look to dominate the next level of competition. You can only expect us to get stronger from here,” Powers said.

The Cardinals had two freshmen in the finals: at the 106 lbs. division Nathan Pyorre and Hayden Fowler at 132 lbs.

Powers said it was awesome to see Pyorre back on the mat and doing his thing. “Wrestling smart he marched his way to the finals where he battled it out and just fell short. Despite a good amount of time off for an injury this tough little freshman properly rehabilitated himself while fixated on his return to the wrestling arena. Back in action, he was looking great in form as though he never skipped a beat.”

Fellow freshman and birthday boy Hayden Fowler had an epic and fast-paced showdown in the finals that came down to the final seconds.

“Although Hayden is a freshman his time and dedication to the sport shows as he is a true wrestler. He contends fiercely with the older & more skilled competitors that all their jaws drop to learn he is in his first year of high school,” Powers said.

Third place medalists also securing the right to wrestle at sections include the following.

Freshman Anthony Gersalia, 170 lbs., is coming into the sport beautifully with great natural strength speed and balance, Powers said. Gersalia’s education in the sport continues to make him a lethal weapon. “He has heaps of potential left to tap into and when he does no one will stand in his way!”

First year wrestler and freshman Vicente Ortega, 152 lbs., has shocked us all. A combination of extreme flexibility and cardio with a great aptitude for accelerated learning he has made leaps in performance and will continue to do so, Powers said.

Freshman Chris Krack, 195 lbs., who Powers called “the gentle giant,” has come a long way this year. “By the time this youngster completes his quest in becoming the young man he seeks to be no one will want to face him.”

Seven Clear Lake High School wrestlers qualified for the North Coast Sections Championships at the Coastal Mountain Conference Finals Championship Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, February 15, 2020, in Lower Lake, California. The wrestlers who will now advance are Christopher Krack, Elijah Alvarez, Mohammad Akbari, Hayden Fowler, Nathan “Bubba” Pyorre, Anthony Gersalia and Vicente Ortega. Courtesy photo.


Sophomore Elijah Alvarez, 138 lbs., is on the cusp of becoming an elite wrestler. “His drive and motivation to absorb everything the sport has to offer and compete past high school are evident. While continuing to learn from mistakes he is always growing,” said Powers.

Sophomore Mustafa Akbari, 120 lbs., has developed a great passion for the sport and art of wrestling, said Powers. “It’s in his blood. This young man has high aspirations for the sport and I know if he commits he can achieve them. A fierce wrestler so keep an eye on him.”

Alternates for the Cards are freshman Liam Davis, Asher Reese, Hernan Romero and Senior Dominic Legendre.

Senior Dominic Legendre had a great day in his first and final CMC appearance. “This young man has come so far physically emotionally and spiritually since first committing to the team and himself. He has been an excellent team captain and role model for the younger kids. His fun loving, hardworking and caring attitude will be greatly missed next year,” said Powers.

“It’s been one awesome journey for Dom and I know this is just the start for him as he leaves high school in pursuit of his dreams and passions!” Powers added.

Other finishers are as follows.

Silver medalists: Nathan “Bubba” Pyorre (106 lbs.) was 1-1 with 1 pin. Hayden Fowler (132 lbs.) went 1-1.

Bronze medalists: Mohammad Akbari (120 lbs.) and Elijah Alvarez (138 lbs.) each went 3-1 with a pin and Tech Fall. Vicente Ortega wrestling up a weight class at (152 lbs.) was 3-1 with three pins. Anthony Gersalia (170 lbs.) was 1-1 with one pin and Christopher Krack wrestled at 197 lbs.

Fourth place: Boys – Asher Reese (113 lbs.) and Hernan Romero (126 lbs.) each went 2-2. Liam Davis (145 lbs.) and Dominic Legendre (285 lbs.) each went 1-2 with one pin.

Also wrestling for the Cardinals, but just missing the consolation finals was Raymond Gonzales-Shoaf (220 lbs.) who went 1-2 with one pin.

While the boys are headed off to James Logan High School for their NCS Wrestling Championship Tournament, the Cardinals will also be sending four girls to compete at the Girls NCS Wrestling Championship Tournament at Albany High School. Competing for CLHS will be Tara Wong (101 lbs.), Ashley Pyorre (106 lbs.), Mavis Pyorre (116 lbs.) and Ximena Soto (121 lbs.).

Clear Lake High School wrestlers Hayden Fowler and Nathan “Bubba” Pyorre won silver medals at the Coastal Mountain Conference Finals Championship Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, February 15, 2020, in Lower Lake, California. Courtesy photo.

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