Indians' Philipps is queen of ASICS Napa Valley Classic

From Register Staff

Out of an impressive field of 227 grapplers representing 54 schools, Napa High’s Lauren Philipps was one of the few girls standing on top of the mountain at the end of the day.

Philipps, competing in the 138-pound weight class of the two-day ASICS Napa Valley Girls Classic at Vintage High School, won the championship in her bracket with a 12-4 decision over Vallejo’s Lauren Knight on Saturday.

“She wrestled awesome,” said Indians coach Nacho Franco.

Knight came into the tournament as the top-ranked wrestler in the state in her class, according to Vintage assistant girls coach Rob Lanterman.

Lanterman’s wife, Yvonne, coaches the Crusher girls.

“It was a great tournament,” said Lanterman, who added that the eighth annual Classic is the oldest high school girls wrestling tournament in the country.

Another Indian, senior Devery Mitchell, placed fourth in the 158-pound class.

“That was a great accomplishment for her,” said Franco of Mitchell, a first-year competitor.

Lanterman said that most weight classes featured 32 wrestlers apiece, and medalist honors were awarded to the top eight finishers in each class.

Vintage posted several medalists — Michele Querin, third at 154; Nastassia Michalek, seventh, 118; Heather Farace, eighth, 114; and Danni Beltran, eighth, 165.

Ironically, Philipps may come out of this year’s Classic in the same spot in which she began last year’s event.

As a junior last year, Philipps was ranked No. 1 in 138s by the California Women’s Wrestling Association coming into the tournament.

However, Philipps made a mistake during her first match at the 2005 Classic while attempting to pin her opponent using a move called the “cradle” — she forgot about the position of her own shoulders and pinned herself.

Philipps won her next six matches — five by pin — on the way to posting a 6-1 record and a third-place finish, but did even better this weekend.

“This was some sweet redemption for her,” said Franco.

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In a meet on Thursday, the Braves defeated Novato 60-13 and lost to San Marin 42-30.

Freshman Corey Hamilton (112 pounds), sophomore Corey Pestana (135) and junior Matt Beutner (160) each picked up a pair of wins for the Braves.

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