Paso Robles wrestlers win big at statewide competitions over weekend
Logan Camack.
Boys varsity wrestling team traveled to Saratoga to participate in the 61st Annual Jim Root Invitational
– The Paso Robles Bearcats wrestling teams competed in multiple statewide tournaments over the weekend, earning top placements and showcasing growth in the program.
The boys varsity wrestling team traveled to Saratoga to participate in the 61st Annual Jim Root Invitational, which featured 40 teams. By the end of the competition, the Bearcats secured first place. Five Bearcats reached the finals: Octavio Martinez (113 lbs), Logan Camack (126 lbs), Mike Ciccarelli (132 lbs), Jaimon Montes (138 lbs), and Pedro Coronado (152 lbs). Coronado was the only Bearcat to win first place in his weight class.
Pedro Coronado.
Other notable placements included Gabe Morones (120 lbs) in sixth place, Kassim Williams (144 lbs) in fourth place, Chris Jewett (152 lbs) in sixth place, Josh Willis (157 lbs) in sixth place, and Caleb Konoski (190 lbs) in third place.
“The wrestling program is growing so fast that we brought two teams to the tournament—an A team and a B team,” said Paso Robles High School Wrestling Coach Nate Ybarra. “It was really fun to watch Paso Robles take over the competition when we rolled up with 24 kids to a varsity tournament.”
Ybarra noted the growth of the program and its dual-team approach. “This is what we have been working towards—having a tough A team, a tough B team, and a tough JV team,” he said. “The backups to each weight class are tough, and they are taking kids out of the tournament and placing as well.”
He credited the program’s success to the foundation built by the youth and middle school programs. “What it really comes down to is having an amazing youth program and middle school program where we develop these kids, boys and girls, at a young age and provide opportunity for the community to be a part of something amazing,” Ybarra said.
In Bakersfield, the Paso Robles girls wrestling team competed in the Queen of the Land tournament at Highland High School. Denisse DeLaCruz Lopez claimed first place in the heavyweight division, continuing her streak of competitive success. Persauz Montoya also placed fifth in the competition.
“This growing program is on their way up as well,” Ybarra said. “The girls are recruiting their friends. They are having fun and learning and growing each day.”
Denisse DeLaCruz.
The boys wrestling team will travel to Morro Bay next weekend for their final tournament of the year.
-Report and photos by Coach Nate Ybarra.
