With perfect records on the line, El Dorado and Union Mine high schools’ wrestling teams faced off Jan. 29 at the Sierra Valley Conference league championship.

The Cougars prevailed in the end 54-30, finishing with a 7-0 record while the Diamondbacks dropped to 6-1.

It was a hard fought championship match with Union Mine taking the early lead with pins by Lincoln Garel and Jeffrey Russell. EDHS wrestler Westley Case countered with a pin before El Dorado pulled away with pins by Colton Iseger, Gavin Coit and Gordon Girardin. Brock Buak interrupted the El Do parade with a pin for Union Mine but Cougars Isaac Gautschi and Jack Hatch followed with pins of their own. Dennis Warden closed out the scoring with a pin for Union Mine.

El Dorado coach John Schaefer claimed the league title and was presented with the ceremonial belt by coach Don Curtis.

Both teams advanced to the CIF Division 4 Dual Meet on Feb. 1 at Lincoln High School in Stockton. El Dorado was runner up in Division 4 with victories over Oakmont and Calaveras and lost to Central Catholic in the finals. Union Mine lost in the first round to Casa Robles 48-34.

The SVC individual tournament is slated for Friday, Feb. 7, at Union Mine in El Dorado. Wrestling starts at noon. Both boys and girls from both schools will be featured and the top four advance to CIF regionals and divisionals.


