UKIAH, Calif. – On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Clear Lake Cardinals sent 21 wrestlers – 10 varsity boys, seven JV boys and four varsity girls – to compete in the Redwood Empire Classic Wrestling Tournament at Ukiah High School.

Overall the Cardinals finished with seven medals: two firsts, three seconds, one third, one fourth and a fifth-place finish.

The girls also took second place as a team, just behind Fortuna.

“This weekend the Cardinals took on their first big varsity tournament and the young team did very well despite facing much older and experienced opponents. It's all a part of the process. All year we have trained and developed our skills. Now the kids have seen what the new standard is as they continue to evolve in the sport,” said Head Coach Nathan Powers.

The Cardinals had one boy take home a medal in the varsity tournament.

Heavyweight Dominic Legendre had an intense final match to close out the tournament. Unable to capture the victory and taking fourth, the Cardinal Senior and his opponent received a standing ovation for a hard-fought and exciting match.

In the girls’ brackets, senior Mavis Pyorre and freshman Ashley Pyorre each took first-place medals.

Ashley Pyorre has continued to show intensity and dedication to her sport that continues to breed success.

Mavis Pyoree had some tough competition but with senior experience kept her wits and controlled her matches.

The Cardinals look forward to securing their spot at the North Coast Section duals this weekend by beating Cloverdale in their home senior night dual this Wednesday.

“Come out and support! Go Cardinals!” Powers said.

Gold medalists:

Girls: Ashley Pyorre (G101 lbs.) was 2-0 with one pin. Mavis Pyorre (G116 lbs.) went 3-0 with three pins.

Silver medalists:

Boys: Quinlan Burke (JV285 lbs.) went 2-1 with one pin.

Girls: Tara Wong was at (G101 lbs.) and Ximena Soto (G126 lbs.) went 1-1.

Bronze medalists:

Boys: Drake Chesebro (JV220 lbs.) went 3-1 with three pins.

Fourth place medal:

Boys: Dominic Legendre (V287 lbs.) went 2-2 with one pin.

Fifth place medal:

Boys: Victor Ortega (JV120 lbs.) went 2-2.

Also wrestling tough matches for the Cardinals was Liam Davis (V147 lbs.) who went 3-2 with two pins and took second place in the gold bracket.

Mohammad Akbari (V122 lbs.) and Vicente Ortega (V140 lbs.) each went 1-2 with one pin.