Wrestlers strong at West Coast Nationals

Going into the 2007 Asics West Coast Nationals Wrestling Championships, the Douglas off-season wrestling program was hoping to make an improvement on last year's three-medal performance.

The Tigers were able to do that and plenty more.

Douglas took home one first-place medal, four second places, a third place, a fourth place a fifth and a sixth.

In addition, Douglas also took home a coveted all-tournament most valuable wrestler award for CJ Wynar's performance in Vallejo, Calif.

In a very tough 135-pound bracket, Wynar overcame two late match deficits to eventually claim fifth-place honors for the tournament.

According to tournament director Bill Gossett, the most valuable wrestler award is given to the wrestlers who display the work ethic and heart which the sport was intended to inspire.

Matt Bevington, wrestling for Douglas via Yerington High School for the summer program, took home sixth place at 135.

Nico Barker defeated the No. 2-seeded Carlos Arreola from California in a hard-fought semifinal to meet fellow Tiger Ryan Olsen in the 130-pound final.

Barker pulled out a 4-3 decision in a last second flurry to take the championship.

Olsen's strong second-place finish was equalled by Blaine Tibbals at 105 and Sean Watson at 189 (both from Yerington) as well as incoming Douglas freshman Dillon Spates at 95 pounds.

Another incoming freshman earned a third-place medal at 125 pounds as Daniel Lundergreen went 2-1 on the weekend.

Douglas 112-pounder Garrett Hekhuis took home a fourth-place medal and Steven Anderson, Cody Spates, Justin Freeman, Timmy Sousa and Wes Peterson all competed well during the tournament.

Douglas' next tournament is at the Damonte Ranch Summer Duals slated for the last weekend in June.