Submitted photo – CR’s Dakota Sanders reacts during one of matches at the weekend state championships.

In just their second season back competing on the wrestling mats, the Corsairs are making some nose at the state level.

This past weekend, Redwoods sophomore Dakota Sanders travel to Coalinga for the state championships and capped an outstanding two years with the team by placing second in his weight class.

The former Arcata Tiger was the team’s lone representative at the prestigious tournament and he did not disappoint, turning in a composed and clutch performance at 125 pounds.

“At the state tournament, to do well you need to execute, stay relentless and wrestle to your strengths, and he did that,” CR head coach Brandon Benvenuti said. “He stayed relentless in all of his matches.”

He also pulled out an impressive come-from-behind win in his semifinal to reach the bracket championship.

Trailing by a point with under 30 seconds remaining, Sanders got a late take down to secure the win and send him on to the final.

In a competitive deciding match, Sanders remained in contention until late.

It was a three-point match with just 30 seconds remaining, but a late take down resulted in a 9-3 defeat to Caden Hanover out of San Diego.

“Hats off to Caden Hanover, he’s a tough kid,” Benvenuti said.

Despite the final disappointment, it was nonetheless a remarkable and very successful season for Sanders, who closed out with a record of 29-5.

He comfortably won his opening two matches at the state tournament, taking the first match 13-1 and the second with a pin.

“He was pumped up,” Benvenuti said. “He was very excited.”

Sanders intends on wrestling at a four-year school, and after such an impressive sophomore season the CR standout is already receiving plenty of interest.

And his coach has enjoyed working with him and watching him succeed and help put CR wrestling back on the map after a four-decade hiatus for the program.

“I was fortunate to coach Dakota for the past two years,” Benvenuti said. “I feel like he was a vital part of our program and the success we had.

“For starting out a new program, and having Dakota, he’s exactly the type of kid you would want.

“He has a very bright future.”