LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Clear Lake Cardinals hosted their eigth annual Michael Kroppmann Memorial Wrestling Tournament.

The Cardinals entered 26 wrestlers – 22 boys and four girls – to compete.

The Cardinals finished with 21 medals: three firsts, four seconds, six thirds, three fourths, three fifths, two sixths and in second place overall for the boys’ team, just missing by four and a half points behind Lower Lake and over teams, Ukiah (third), Fort Bragg (fourth) and Upper Lake (fifth).

“The 2020 Michael Kroppmann Memorial tournament was a smashing success. Bringing in over 175 boy and girl wrestlers from 11 different schools, it was a day full of fierce competition while celebrating the culture of wrestling and honoring the memory of Michael Kroppmann,” said Head Coach Nathan Powers.

Team Championship trophies were awarded to Lower Lake boys and Upper Lake girls. Closely contested by Clear Lake boys and Windsor girls, the differences in each were both less than five points.

Most outstanding wrestler awards were handed out to Arianna Groves of Windsor, Bradley Sneathen of Upper Lake and Quentin Vilmenay of Lower Lake.

Clear Lake Coach Chris Clarkin was awarded for having 10 years of dedication to the local wrestling community and even longer contributions to the sport.

“I was overwhelmed with joy from the support of individuals and businesses in town that donated to the team and provided for the raffle. I couldn't have done it without all the support from my team’s parents alongside help from my own family, coaches and members of the community,” Powers said.

Powers offered special thanks to Joe Szupello, the local referee, who donated and cooked the coaches’ prime rib banquet along with $500 in oil changes from Lake fleet repair.

“This young team stood strong together as they battled in their home arena. We look forward to start our league campaign in the upcoming week as we continue to sharpen our skills and abilities. I am so proud how these young men and women showcase the best of both worlds in wrestling; intensity on the mat and integrity in all arenas,” Powers said.

Clear Lake Champions were Elijah Alverez who showed great control in his matches, Nick Williamson who had an epic nail-biting match with a dominant pin to finish and Anthony Gersalia who was an explosive force.

Gold medalists:

Boys – Nicholas Williamson (135 lbs.) went 4-0 with four pins. Elijah Alvarez (141 lbs.) was 3-0 with two pins. Anthony Gersalia (170 lbs.) went 2-0 with one pin.

Silver medalists:

Boys – Nathan “Bubba” Pyorre (109 lbs.) went 4-1 with four pins. Axel Alvarez (185 lbs.) was 1-1 with one pin.

Girls – Mavis Pyorre (123 lbs.) was 3-1 with two pins. Tara Wong (104 lbs.).

Bronze medalists:

Boys – Hernan Romero (129 lbs.) was 4-1 with four pins. Hayden Fowler (135 lbs.) and Vicente Ortega (141 lbs.) each went 3-1 with one pin. Christopher Krack (198 lbs.) went 2-1 with one pin. Raymond Gonzales-Shoaf (223 lbs.) went 2-2 with one pin.

Girls – Ashley Pyorre (109 lbs.) was 1-2 with one pin.

Fourth place medalists:

Asher Reese (116 lbs.) was 2-2 with two pins. Dominic Legendre (288 lbs.) was 3-2 with two pins.

Girls – Ximena Soto (123 lbs.) went 1-3 with one pin.

Fifth place medalists:

Boys – Luis Aguilar (116 lbs.) was 1-2. Mohammad Akbari (123 lbs.) and Ayden Williamson (129 lbs.) each went 2-2 with two pins.

Sixth place medalists:

Boys –Victor Romero (109 lbs.) and Liam Davis (148 lbs.) won his first match by Tech Fall and then was pulled from the tournament due to injury.

Also competing for the Cardinals was Quinnlan Frick (129 lbs.) who went 1-2 with one pin, along with Mujtaba Akbari (123 lbs.), Samuel Vanoven (135 lbs.), Austin Montiel (141 lbs.) and Zachary Wilcox (141 lbs.).

“What a long and exciting day of wrestling at our home tourney. Overall second place team! It’s always a great time with this team. They always give it all they’ve got and leave it all on the mat. We know we made Michael proud!” said Coach Powers.