Eureka grabs wrestling title in H-DNL meet

Del Norte had won the team championship the last three years and was favored to win a fourth title. Eureka crushed the Warriors' hopes when it finished the meet with 218.5 points to seize the title while Del Norte was the runner-up with 193 points and host Arcata placed third with 153 points.

While the team title belonged to Eureka, both Arcata's Luke Walker and Hoopa's Johnny McKnight won individual championships for the third year in a row. Both wrestlers also shared Most Valuable Wrestler honors in the upper weight classes.

McKnight, who is ranked fourth in state in the 160-pound weight class, pinned Eureka's Billy Watts in the closing seconds of the first round.

McKnight attributed his successful season and quick victory to a lot of hard work.

"I've been training hard, working out and trying to improve my skills and techniques," said McKnight.

His overall record improves to 41-4 while he remains unbeaten in matches against North Coast wrestlers.

Walker, who is ranked ninth in the state, was the victor in the 215-pound class as he scored a 4-2 decision over Del Norte's Luke Hartwig.

Walker also attributed his success this year to hard work and preparation.

"I thank all my coaches for coming and wrestling me (in practice) and trying to work hard all year." said Walker. "It felt pretty great and I had a good opponent that I was wrestling so that makes it even better."

McKinleyville's Virgil Moorehead, who wrestled Matt Kelly of Eureka for the title at 112, won his second consecutive title with a 20-7 decision.

Jeff Brink, of Eureka, also won back-to-back titles when he wrestled a 15-5 decision over Hoopa's Ronnie Navarro at 189.

At 103, James Mitchell of Del Norte posted a 3-0 victory over Weston Stickney of Fortuna to take first place.

Steve Gladding also pitched in to Eureka's victorious team efMcKinleyville High, in the first 15 seconds of the second round while Gladding's teammate, D.J. Williams also pinned his opponent Josh McDougal of South Fork at 125.

James Gensaw, who earned Most Valuable Wrestler honors for the lower weight classes, scored a 10-4 decision over Eureka's Jeff Gladding in the group of 130-pounders.

Arcata's Joey Maggio beat Fernando Perreira of Del Norte 14-6 at 135 while Roger Lara of McKinleyville topped Brent Jacot of Del Norte at 140 division.

Joey Luis of Del Norte dominated his way to the 145 title as he waged a 12-0 decision over Hense Holt of Arcata.

Travis Moore of South Fork scored a victory in what was one of the most exciting matches of the final round when he beat Chris Morgan of Eureka in the final five seconds of the match in the 152-pound weight class.

Hoopa's Frankie Joe Myers won in dominating fashion as he beat his opponent, Arthur Bendetti of Fortuna, 19-4 at 171.

Heavyweight Matt Capik of Eureka pinned Jon Duncan of Fortuna with just under 33 seconds remaining in the third round. Capik was ahead by a score of 9-2 at the time of the pin.

The top three wrestlers in each weight class will participate in the North Coast sections which are slated to Feb. 26-27 at Deer Valley High School.