The Anderson wrestling team gave their coach, Don Williams, a gift during last Wednesday’s Northern Athletic League dual against West Valley, as well as a 60-18 win in the home finale.

Before the wrestling kicked-off, seniors and their parents were honored in the Senior Night tradition.

Not wanting their coach to feel left out, a smiling Spencer Larsen grabbed a bouquet of roses and announced, “Tonight we’re honoring our mother, with some flowers.”

He then handed Williams the bouquet, who smiled and laughed at the joke.

“Coaching for Anderson High School for the past 28 years has been truly a blessing in my life,” said Williams. “Having a positive impact in young men’s lives, on and off the mat, has enriched my own life and made my career much more rewarding than I might have hoped for when I started.”

Williams is headed north to Redding. He will coach Simpson University’s inaugural wrestling team this fall.

The Cub grapplers got things started early, pinning their first three opponents before West Valley put on the brakes.

Anderson’s Bryan Cabral took down West Valley’s Austin Steele twice before wrapping him up for a pin and the win in the 172-pound class.

Gage White of Anderson took down Zach Zambrana of West Valley in a 184-pound scrimmage. White pinned Zambrana in 43 seconds in the second period.

The Cubs then went up 18-0 after Bryan Swaggerty knocked down West Valley’s Jules Leach in 50 seconds with a cradle hold in the 197-pound clash.

West Valley’s Austin Lobsinger, the No. 2 wrestler in California in the 220-pound weight class, made quick work of Evan Campbell, giving the Eagles six.

Lobsinger’s teammate Robby Brown went out and pinned Wyatt Webb in the 285-pound match.

The forfeit for West Valley’s Jeremy Coats in the 108-pound match tied the score at 18.

The Cubs, undaunted, put a halt to West Valley’s winning, shutting them down the rest of the match.

Hayden Gilbert pinned West Valley’s John Tomasello for the 115-pound win.

Then Aaron Evett took down Eagle opponent Marc McMahon in the 122-pound class.

Alek Miller (134) and Jose Raya (140) both pinned their West Valley opponents, dashing West Valley’s hopes of a come back.

In the 147-pound battle, Anderson’s Larsen, ranked No. 30 in California for the 138-pound class, earned a 7-5 decision against Nathan Burns. The senior hung on for the win, even though Burns almost pinned him in the final 30 seconds.

Chris Webb won the 154-pound match by decision against Logan Lawrence and Levi Hewitt had the crowd on his side as he pinned Hunter Jackson in the 162-pound class.

“League wrestling duals are all about school pride, so when we win decisively, as we did against West Valley, it makes our team and our school proud to be Anderson Cubs,” Williams said.

When asked if he changed anything because it was his final season with the Cubs, Williams said no.

“Knowing that this is my last season coaching the Anderson wrestling team has not really impacted my coaching. Every year I do my best to instruct and motivate my wrestlers to excel to their highest potential,” stated Williams.

“If I have a heightened sense of urgency or hopeful expectations, it isn’t because it’s my last year; it is because I have several seniors on the team, and it is their last year to attain their goals. My hope is for them!”