Stellar wrestler and local start athlete Luke Wilson took the championship title at the CIF Tournament in Bakersfield earlier this month.
According to a recent press release from the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Wilson is the first champion since 1977 and the eighth in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties’ 41 year history.
The senior, in front of a crowd of 1,500 at the Rabobank Arena, outshined the 43 participants in the 152-pound weight class to bring the title home; Wilson is one of 295 wrestlers who qualified for the state competition.
Co-coach Dutch Van Patten said Wilson “does it all” on and off the mat.
“Luke is one of the best natural athletes I have ever seen at this school,” Van Patten said in a press release. “He’s got great work ethic and gives more than you could ever ask from a kid.”
This article appears in Mar 21-28, 2013.