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It was a memorable few days for H-DNL wrestling even if it ended on a disappointing note on Saturday night.
Competing at the CIF state championships in Bakersfield, Del Norte junior Wyatt Lewis reached the final in the 157-pound boys bracket, but came up just short, losing to Bailey Holman out of Poway High in the final seconds by a score of 4-1.
Lewis was one of three H-DNL wrestlers in action at the state meet, and all three made it to day three of competition, going a combined 12-4 over the three days.
His older brother, senior Thunder Lewis, finished third in the 126-pound division, while Arcata freshman Taylor Bell finished in the top 12 in the girls 110-pound bracket, one win shy of medalling.
Wyatt Lewis, who was seeded No. 3 in his bracket, won his semifinal early on Saturday, beating No. 2 Jacob Perez out of Everett Alvarez High, 7-0.
Placing second overall is a huge accomplishment for the junior. who finished fifth at state a year ago while attending Clovis High School, and eighth as a freshmen two years ago.
His older brother, meanwhile, closed out his high school career as a rare four-time placer at state.
Thunder finished fourth as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and eighth last year, but closed out his high school career with a career-best showing at the prestigious tournament.
The Del Norte senior lost his semifinal to the top seed and eventual champion in the bracket, Paul Ruiz out of Buchanan High, by a score of 7-5.
But he would respond with back-to-back wins in the consolation bracket.
Thunder, who was seeded No. 4 in his division, got the better of No. 3 Sean Wilcox out of St. John Bosco by a score of 5-3, and then pinned No. 6 Aaron Silva out of Corona Del Mar in the third-place bout.
Bell, meanwhile, gained some valuable experience and it won’t come as a surprise to North Coast fans to see her back at the state tournament next year or beyond.
One week after clinching a North Coast Section title, the Arcata standout went 3-2 at state.
Bel went 1-1 on the opening day, but would win two straight elimination bouts in the consolation bracket on Friday, before losing to Nohea Booth out of Marina High on a technical fall on Saturday to end a memorable season.
