Badgers in good shape to wrestle league title

Submitted by Yosemite High correspondent

(Updated: Thursday, February 04, 2010, 12:00 AM)

The Yosemite High School wrestling team, enjoying one of its most successful season in the past few years hosted the Chowchilla Redskins last Thursday in preparation for its final regular North Sequoia League dual meet with mountain rival Sierra tonight.

Last Saturday the Badgers traveled to Pitman High School for the Pitman Rumble in the Jungle VI.

Yosemite 66, Chowchilla 12

Although the Redskins came into Oakhurst short of a full roster, the Badgers defeated the Chowchilla grapplers handily with four pins in six matches (there are 14 weight division in high school wrestling). Yosemite wrestlers Taylor Koellish (103), Clint Kelly (112), Ethan Micallef (119), Will Buchnoff (125), Daniel Romero (152), and Andrew Cairns (160) all won their matches by by forfeit.

The Badgers Kevin Howell (145), Kyle Lincoln (171), Grant Henderickson (215), and Dakota Smith (285) all won by pinfall. Chase Hagerman (140) and Michael Sanders were defeated by pinfall.

The Yosemite junior varsity wrestlers defeated Chowchilla 15 - 6.

Of note for the Badgers JV was Josiah Madison (145), wrestling in his first high school match, winning on points 13 - 6 while Kaiden Grossi (171) and Juan Aquino (189) won their matches by pinfall.

The NSL Championships are at Washington Union on Feb. 13.

Pitman Rumble in the Jungle VI.

The annual tournament was divided into two competitions, one for the varsity wrestlers and another for the junior varsity competition.

Yosemite wrestlers were well represented with 15 participants. The Badgers junior varsity team acquitted themselves with PJ Reyna finishing in second at 103 pounds, Taylor Koellish was first at 103 pounds, Ethan Micallef finished second at 119 pounds, Josiah Madison had a second place finish at 154 . and Kaiden Grossi captured second at 171.

"I was very impressed with our junior varsity team and how physical they wrestled during this competition," Yosemite assistant coach Brad Zinich said.

In the varsity competition, Badger wrestlers placed seventh out of the 24 teams participating. Leading the way in placing was team captain Dakota Smith who finished in second place losing in overtime to Gavin Andrews of Granite Bay.

In a surprise finish, Grant Hendrickson wrestled from an unseeded position into the finals at 215 pounds. Hendrickson also placed second losing on points 13-2 against Edgar Tolentino of San Leandro. "Grant came to this tournament prepared to wrestle tough and to make a statement about himself," Yosemite head coach Kent Lincoln said, "He is really improving as a wrestler and applying his athletic abilities."

Kyle Lincoln placed in the top three wrestlers at 171 lbs. Lincoln placed third by pinning Angel Duarte of Riverbank in 36 seconds. Rounding out the placers was Clint Kelly 112 pounds. who beat Dylan Ledbetter of Sonora 5-1 and placing seventh.