It’s been referred to as the longest, most grueling, and energy demanding six minutes an athlete can put him or herself through. Three, two-minute rounds determine whether your daily vigorous workouts and constant weight watching pays off. A sport that no matter how dominating one opponent can be, that dominance can turn 180 degrees with one mistake, ending in a loss by pin late in the 3rd round. Beyond just brute strength and endurance, a wrestler needs to be fundamentally skillful, clock and mat smart, as well as extremely focused in order to be successful.

On Wednesday, Jan. 28th, Senior Appreciation Night at Cordova High School, the Cordova Lancer wrestlers put on a spectacular performance as they dominated the visiting Liberty Ranch Hawks on their home mats. In the eight physical match-ups in the last home team dual match of the season, the Lancers outscored the Hawks, 53-24 by winning 7 out of 8 matches that included four pins and one technical pin.

Pinning their opponents were Junior Zachary Guerrero in the 113 lb. weight class; Junior Tim Wood in the 138 lb. weight class; Senior Dante Hume in the 170 lb. weight class and Senior Damian Jackson at 220 lbs.

Junior Derrek Burton had a technical pin (beating his opponent 15-0) in the 132 lb. class. Winning on points were Junior Angel Frost at 126 lbs. and Junior Tyriq Seymore at 160 lbs. Sophomore David Khudateplov put in a very tough fight only to lose by a couple of point in the waning seconds.

Varsity coach Marco Garcia said, “These guys are wrestling hard and putting great effort in practice. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Garcia also praised the work ethics of his six Seniors, four of which he has coached for four years alongside his junior varsity and girls’ coach, Rick Fullum. The Lancer wrestlers will compete for the League Individual Championships at Liberty Ranch High School on Feb. 13th and on Feb. 19th and 20th for the Boys Division IV Championship at Central Valley High.