California wrestling looks to improve as first season continues

The first season for the California's new wrestling program is underway after the high school team had its first competition Nov. 20.

The team lost its first meet at Missouri Military Academy 54-13 and has also had a meet at Tipton on Dec.1 and a meet against Hickman on Dec. 3. The team fell in both of those meets, as well.

Head coach Travis Payne said there have been some bright spots for the team early in the season, despite its early losses.

"Kwynoon Duvall had a pin in the first meet at 138 pounds, Kolten Fulks had a win at 170 pounds, and Alexis Aniguino got hit first win wrestling 195 pounds at MMA," Payne said. "At Tipton, senior Colby Somerer got his first win at 126 pounds along with DJ Schneider getting a pin at heavyweight. When we went to Hickman High School, Tyler Patterson got a pin at 220 pounds early in the second round."

The middle school wrestling team had its first meet Nov. 12 at Boonville. Since then, the team has had two more meets.

Payne said the middle school team is looking good.

"They continue to fight hard and get better each time they wrestle," Payne said. "We have won a few matches, and everyone is consistently getting better with each match."

As the teams continue to gain experience as the season goes along, Payne said he wants to see them continue to improve.

"We are looking to keep improving. The team has shown huge growth from our first match at MMA. We want to continue to improve each week," Payne said.