KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Wednesday, a Kelseyville High School wrestler entered national competition in Greco-Roman wrestling in North Dakota.

Alex Garcia is in Fargo for the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and Cadet Nationals along with teammate, Jasmin Clarke, and their coach, Orlando Zarate.

Clarke won the 2017 Women’s Freestyle Cadet Nationals title for the 200 pound weight class on Tuesday after four matches that went across two days, as Lake County News has reported.

On Wednesday Garcia took to the mat in the competition, considered the toughest in the nation, in the 140 pound weight class at the cadet level, which is primarily for freshmen and sophomores.

Garcia had qualified for the national meet after winning a state title in Greco-Roman wrestling in June, as Lake County News has reported.

Zarate said Garcia had four matches on Wednesday.

“Alex won his first match against Dylan Sausa of Connecticut by technical fall. His second match he lost by decision against Nicholas Burgard of Ohio, third match he won by technical fall against Cole Thomas of Oklahoma and his final bout he lost by decision to Daniel Segura of Ohio,” Zarate said.

Unfortunately, Garcia didn’t get a placement in the tournament, Zarate said. “He needed two more wins to make it to the second day. This tournament has some tough competition.”

Zarate added of Garcia, “But he's only a sophomore so we are super proud of his accomplishments going into his junior year.”

Garcia’s teammate, Clarke, is set to compete again beginning bright and early Thursday morning, when she moves up into the junior level, which is mainly for junior and senior level high school wrestlers, Zarate said.

If Clarke medals – and Zarate said she has a good chance – she could be up for All-American honors.

“We are all super proud of them both,” Zarate said of his two wrestlers.

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