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Some local youth wrestlers got a taste of what it would be like to compete at the college level recently, as NCAA competition returned to the North Coast for the first time in more than three decades.

The newly-formed Cal Poly Humboldt men’s wrestling team hosted Simpson University in a dual match at Lumberjack Arena on Jan. 10 and beforehand several young wrestlers competed in the Humboldt Youth Wrestling Showcase event in front of a large crowd in attendance.

The young wrestlers, who just recently wrapped up their folk style season, competed in a series of one-minute exhibition matches.

The majority of the young wrestlers on hand came from the McKinleyville and Del Norte youth programs.

The collegiate dual match was the first held at the local university in 33 years after the program was brought back this season for the first time since 1992.

Carson Hatch, one of the Lumberjacks top wrestlers this season, also coaches with McKinleyville youth wrestling.

The event was sponsored by Two Feathers Native American Family Services and McKinleyville Folk Style Youth Wrestling.

The youth free style wrestling season is just around the corner and registration is now under way.

The Lumberjacks won the dual match 39-10.