WV wrestler returns home as All American

Accomplished local wrestler Austin Lobsinger, 16, is returning home from the National Wrestling Championships in Fargo, North Dakota as an All American Wrestler in Greco Roman. In this national tournament each of the 50 states brings its respective team to the tournament to vie for the coveted moniker of All American. This means the wrestler is one of the best four in the United Sates. Lobsinger took advantage of an opening in the 215 pound weight class to get on the California team and did well with many thanks to Dave Rottenberg (Red Bluff) and Coach Rollins (Chico) coaching in his corner.

In the National tournament Lobsinger pinned several of his nationally ranked opponents on his way to 4th place, hence earning the title of All American. Austin Lobsinger now has three national titles to his name. In 2006 he placed 1st in both Freestyle and Greco Roman Nationals while wrestling for the Eagles Youth Wrestling Club in Cottonwood. 2010 has been a busy year for Austin. As a sophomore at West Valley High he placed 4th in the North State Sections in March. In April Lobsinger traveled to Virginia to compete in the NHSCA Collegiate National Tournament. He was one win away from achieving Collegiate All American. In May, Austin took time off from sports to have major surgery he had been putting off. He spent the month of May and June recovering and training. Lobsinger credits his fast recovery to Rich Harris his West Valley Football strength coach, and North Valley Boxing Academy. In July, after a full recovery, Lobsinger was invited to represent California at the SCWAY Team Tournament in Portland, Oregon. Lobsinger pinned his first four opponents and came up one highly contested point short (8-7) against the Oregon 5a State Champion.

Three days after the Oregon tournament Lobsinger left for the Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. While at the National tournament Lobsinger was excited to hear that the wrestler he lost to back in April would be in his bracket. As fate would have it Lobsinger met the wrestler, Brian Walker of Alabama, who knocked him out of the finals in April. A healthy Lobsinger pinned the Alabama wrestler in the first round.

Lobsinger will be a junior next year, which gives him two more years to acquire more state and national titles. With hard work, focus, and persistence Lobsinger hopes to continue to add to his accomplishments. But he acknowledges he has had a lot of support. He would like to thank all the local cottonwood businesses: All Service Propane, Cornerstone Physical Therapy, Mary's Pizza, Cottonwood Woodys Barber, Shasta Pizza, Dills Deli, Coach Tom Vazquez, Coach Pat Sweeney, and friends and family for sponsorship helping him achieve his goals. But most of all he would like to thank his coach, mentor, and biggest fan, his dad, Raymond Julio Lobsinger.