California High School wrestling took the mat for the first time in the 2023-24 season on Nov. 28 at the California Quad against South Callaway, Holden and Tipton.
In the girls dual against the South Callaway Lady Bulldogs, California wrestler Bella Fulks won the 130 pound match against Shelby Doster by fall in one minute and nine seconds. Ivee Cooper lost the 190 pound match by fall to Bulldog Lilli Lewis in two minutes and 33 seconds.
California won by forfeits with Temwa Nkosi, Kristhel Guzman, Ivy Scroggins and Camryn Wingate. The Lady Pintos defeated the Lady Bulldogs in the team match 30-16.
In the boys dual against the South Callaway Bulldogs, Pintos wrestler Patrick Morrow won the 132 pounds match by fall in three minutes and 58 seconds over Jasper Miller. Jackson Barnard won by fall in the 144 pounds match over Bulldog Caleb Hubbard in one minute and 48 seconds. Daylen Yarnell lost by fall to Noah Kinney in the 150 pounds match in two minutes and 26 seconds. Kwynnon Duvall won the 175 pounds match over Ethan Munford by decision 8-5. Cody Schneider lost to Eli Benningfield by fall in one minute and 28 minutes in the 190 pounds match. Tayln Balsley, Connor Farmer, Isaac McCarty, Gage Trivette, Jose Martinez and Alexis Anguiano all won by forfeit. The Pintos defeated the Bulldogs overall in the duel 51-24.
In the girls dual against the Holden Lady Eagles, only two wrestlers competed. Wingate won her match against Haley Brooks in the 110 pound match by fall in two minutes and 54 seconds. While Bella Fulks won her second match in the 130poundsdivision over MaReya May by fall in a minute and 17 seconds. Temwa Nkosi, Kristhel Guzman and Ivee Cooper won by forfeit. However, the Lady Pintos were defeated by the Lady Eagles 36-30.
In the boys dual against the Holden Eagles, Connor Farmer won by fall over Payton Yet in 40 seconds in the 113 pounds round. Patrick Morrow won the 132 pounds match over Kaleb Catron by fall in three minutes and 44 seconds. Jose Martinez lost the 138 pounds match by fall in three minutes and 37 seconds. Jackson Barnard won the 144 pounds match by fall over Charlie Rowland in two minutes and 50 seconds. Kwynnon Duvall won by fall in the 175 pounds match against Carson Kephart by fall in two minutes and 34 seconds. Cody Schneider won the 190 pounds match by fall in five minutes and 29 seconds and Anguiano lost by fall in the 285 pounds match to Aiden Christian in three minutes and 16 minutes. Tayln Balsley, Isaac McCarty, Gage Trivette and junior Daylen Yarnell all won by forfeit. The Pintos won their dual over the Holden Eagles 54-30.
The Lady Pintos didn't have any matches against Tipton due to open weight classes. California won the dual 36-30 due to having more forfeit wins.
In the boys dual against the Tipton Cardinals, Farmer lost the 113 pounds match by decision 14-7 to Enrique Rivera. Martinez won the 138 pounds match by fall in one minute and 52 seconds over Gavin Hunsburger. Barnard lost by fall in the 144 pounds match to Landon Griffin in four minutes and 46 seconds. Yarnell lost the 150 pounds match to Evan Ragsdale by fall in 58 seconds. Trivette lost by fall in the 157 pounds match to Austin West in 48 seconds. Duvall won by fall in the 175 pounds match over Ethan Gerth in 52 seconds. Schneider won by fall over Briar Hibdon in 33 seconds in the 190 pounds match. Anguiano closed out the dual with a win by fall over Lee Fulks in 21 seconds in the 285 pounds match. Balsley, McCarty and Morrow all won by forfeit. The Pintos defeated the Cardinals in the dual 42-36.
Overall, the Pintos and Lady Pintos combined to win five of six duals at the California Quad.
The California Quad was Lance Fulks' first meet as head coach. Going into the season, he was concerned about how the pieces would fall into place during his first year. However, he was satisfied with the results of the Quad and looks forward to seeing his wrestlers improve their skills.
"All of the kids wrestled hard no matter the outcome of their matches and that is all I ask of them. For a team that's so young, they really stepped up and had a great showing. I am also very proud of my upper-classmen who were there to help their teammates out and picked them up when they needed it. It was great to see all the fans and community come to support the team. They've been working hard in practice and it showed on the mat," Fulks said.
California will wrestle again on Thursday at Warsaw. The Lady Pintos will then wrestle Friday in the Excelsior Springs Tournament while the boys team will go Saturday to the Versailles Tournament.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Freshman Bella Fulks won her first match against South Callaway's Shelby Doster at the California Quad.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Sophomore Jackson Barnard won the 144lb Boys over Charlie Rowland of Holden on Nov. 28.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Senior Camryn Wingate won her match against Holden's Haley Brooks in the Girl's 110lb division on Nov. 28 at the California Quad.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Senior Alexis Anguiano won California's final match of the California Quad over Tipton's Lee Fulks in the Boys 285lb/Heavyweight match.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Sophomore Jose Martinez puts hit opponent in a hold at the California Quad.
(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Sophomore Cody Schneider takes a breather during his first match of the California Quad with the Holden Eagles. Schneider won the match by fall in five minutes and 29 seconds.