Cardinal grapplers in top-5 at Doc Petersen

The Corning High wrestling squad hit the mats for the second time this season on Saturday when the top grapplers from the area converged on Orland High for the annual Doc Petersen Tournament on Saturday.

The host Trojans captured the top spot in team scoring with 189.5 points, followed by Will C. Wood (168), Ukiah (164), Oroville (111) and Pleasant Valley (110.5) rounding out the top five.

The young Corning squad had a pair of wrestlers finish among the top five in their respective weight classes, with 120-pounder Hector Valencia taking fourth, and Devon Hiller placing fifth at 106.

Corning coach Cort Mitchell heaped praise on Valencia, who was Corning's outstanding wrestler for the meet, saying, "Hector was wrestling at his first-ever varsity tournament and did an outstanding job. He made it to the semifinals and was able to come home with a fourth-place medal. He gutted out a come-from-behind victory in the match to get into the medals, and that kind if heart is always great to see."

Corning wrestled a dual meet against Chico on the road Tuesday, and will take part in Saturday's tournament in Folsom.