Willows grapplers pin down 3rd

The Willows High wrestling team emerged from the McKinleyville Invitational over the weekend with a third-place finish out of 15 teams, with seven Honkers earned top finishes in their respective weight classes.

Willows Head coach Tom Cox was elated by his team's turnout, saying, "I'm so proud of the young men, and I'm proud to be here coaching them."

Cox pointed to the performances of: Rick Yang, a junior, who won the 113-pound weight class, and racked up four pins; Nick Reed, a sophomore, took first place at 195; and Jacob Candelaria earned first place at 285, with Cox singling out Candelaria's match against a 6-foot 5-inch, 285-pound foe as the best of the night.

Also placing among the top three in their weight classes were sophomore Austin Whitney at 152 and junior Greg Dicharry at 150, who both brought home third-place finishes.

Cox pointed out that Dicharry faced off against one of the best wrestlers in the state in his class, and praised Dicharry's hard work during the matchup.

Justin Chavez, another sophomore, placed third at 137, and freshman Adam Juarez came in fourth at 142.

The Honkers head to Las Plumas on Saturday for the Injured Warrior Tournament in Oroville.