Nor Cal wrestling event draws hundreds, both local and out of state

Anderson High School turned into a hub for some of the best wrestlers in the region during the Nor Cal Classic wrestling tournament on Friday and Saturday.

The bleachers were packed with wrestling supporters from the Northern Section and beyond. The event drew schools from Oregon, Nevada, Humboldt County and the Sac-Joaquin Section,

"I feel proud that Anderson can bring in all of these schools," said Cubs wrestling coach Don Williams. "Anderson High School has always had a pretty good reputation in wrestling. They have heard of us and they know who we are."

The Anderson Cubs wrestlers stayed right in the competition with the out-of-towners. They finished in fifth place in the tournament with 144.5 points.

Del Oro won the tournament with 249 points while Nevada Union was second at 163, Chico took third with 155.5 and Paradise rounded out fourth place with 151 points.

Two Anderson wrestlers made it to the finals. Marcus Zachary came away a champion. Tyler Davis also reached the finals, by lost by pin to the defending state champion Roger McCovey of Del Norte in the heavyweight match.

Other Anderson wrestlers that placed were Dylan Frank at 132 pounds and Colt Little at 191 pounds. Frank finished sixth due to an injury default in the fifth place match while Little lost to Lassen's Darren Lee 11-8 to finish fourth.

West Valley High School wrestler's also held their own.

Eagle wrestler Jake Morales was one local favorite who made it to through to Saturday's matches.

He said the sheer size of the tournament added an extra competitive element.

"This will be the biggest one we go to. It's a lot tougher. So it feels good when you place," he said.

Northern section wrestlers enjoyed the variety of competitors. Each wrestler could test their abilities no matter what their experience.

"There are state wrestlers and there are first year wrestlers. It's a good mix," Morales said.

Anderson coaches organized the match by pairing wrestlers with similar records and experience levels against each other. After that, it was up them to make it through the double elimination and make it to the finals.

Anderson coach Williams said putting on the ninth annual tournament was worth the effort. He and his colleagues began the organizational process this fall, and they spent many hours in the past two weeks making final preparations.

"It takes a lot work," Williams said.

But the coach mentioned that all of the out-of-towners that were drawn to the tournament not only build excitement around the match, but also contribute to the local economy, by staying in local hotels and spending their money at local businesses.

"I feel good that we are doing something benefits the wrestlers, the school and the community," he said.