Lower Lake wrestlers 10-0 in annual competition against Kelseyville
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LOWER LAKE >> The Shield, the annual competition between the Kelseyville High School and Lower Lake High School wrestling teams, with the winner taking home a custom shield, has been about as one-sided as it gets.
First contested in 2016 and held every year since then except one (because of the COVID-19 pandemic), Lower Lake has won it 10 straight times, including a 41-33 victory Wednesday night at the Udy Gym on the Lower Lake High campus.
The Shield competition was part of a Coastal Mountain Conference tri-meet between Lower Lake, Kelseyville and St. Helena. Lower Lake fell 39-30 to St. Helena before retaining ownership of The Shield against Kelseyville. The Knights beat St. Helena 52-30 before falling to the Trojans.
Kelseyville vs. Lower Lake
Kelseyville jumped out to a 17-0 lead, including Laney Fossa pinning Riley Givens in an upset at 122 points. The Knights also won at 128 and 134 pounds. Lower Lake answered with a string of victories that began at 140 pounds where first-year wrestler Kaylee Case pinned her opponent in an upset, and the momentum from that win helped rally her Lower Lake teammates.
Kelseyville winners besides Fossa were Madeline Hayes by pin at 126 pounds, Cash Cole by technical fall at 132 pounds, Branden Brown by decision at 106 pounds, and Cody Holmes by forfeit at 157 pounds.
Kelseyville vs. St. Helena
The Knights won four matches by pin against St. Helena as Fossa (120), Hayes (126), Cole (132) and Holmes (157) all prevailed. Brown (150) won by decision.
“This past week our wrestling team showcased their strength and determination in a commanding victory against St. Helena,” Kelseyville head coach Shane Carl said. “From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear that our athletes were fired up and on a mission. Their focus and commitment to the task at hand translated into a decisive win, leaving no doubt about their capabilities on the mat.”
Added Carl, “However, the night wasn’t without its challenges. In a fierce showdown against Lower Lake, our team faced a tough battle that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The matches were a thrilling back-and-forth exchange, culminating in a nail-biting contest at 113 pounds (Arturo Gudino of Lower Lake, ranked second in the North Coast Section vs. Logun white of Kelseyville). Despite a valiant effort, Logun ultimately fell via tech fall, resulting in a narrow loss for the team.
“While we may not have walked away with The Shield this time, the spirit of our team remains unshaken,” Carl said.
Kelseyville, the runner-up to Willits in the regular-season dual-meet competition, will compete in the North Coast Section Team Dual Championship on Saturday in Lower Lake.
