Wrestling club members compete in Willits, Casa Robles
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WILLITS >> Twenty-six members of the Middletown Wrestling Club brought home 19 medals from the second annual Tom Tilton Novice Tournament on Sunday at Willits High School.
The club came away with several first pins, first wins and unfortunately one major injury as Ryder Fanucchi sustained a broken collarbone but still came away with a third-place medal.
“He came back from the hospital rooting his team on matside. He is working on recovering to come out strong next season,” Middletown co-coach Ariana Fanucchi said.
Bringing home first-place medals were Bradley Parks (under-12, 78-82 pounds), Brookelyn Mackey (under-12, 98 pounds), Jaxx Salter (10-under, 67 pounds), Sergio Ornelas (10-under, 105 pounds), and Zander Woods (8-and-under, 49 pounds).
Second-place medals went to Carson Mackey (under-12, 98 pounds), Cormac Lloyd (10-under, 77 pounds), Diana Glasgow (middle school girls, 125 pounds), Gus Irwin (10-under, 71 pounds), Kian Woods (10-under, 84 pounds), Nolan Breland (under-12, 67-70 pounds), Shiloh Fourie (6-under, 40 pounds), Tammy Gardiner (middle school girls, 115 pounds), and Tanner Breland (middle school boys, 132 pounds).
Coming away with third-place medals besides Ryder Fanucchi were Averie Stiles (middle school girls, 140-150 pounds), Colton Rodella (under-12, 86-92 pounds), Hunter Fanucchi (10-under, 63 pounds) and Zethanie Kohl (under-12, 78-82 pounds).
While most of the Middletown Wrestling Club was competing in Willits, another team member, Andres Yebra, took part in the Santa Smackdown in Orangevale and came home with a second-place medal.
“Our coaching staff is beyond proud of these amazing youth athletes,” Fanucchi said.
Middletown’s success on the mats so far this season is no surprise, according to Fanucchi.
“Middletown Wrestling Club has been working hard on the mats every day, getting better and strong than before,” Fanucchi said. “Our athletes’ hard work and dedication is finally starting to pay off. It is so rewarding as a coach to tell your wrestler to do a move and they listen and implement it in a match. These kids are crushing it.”
