The battle for the North Coast Section has officially reached a fever pitch. Across four high-stakes divisions, the premier grapplers of the region descended upon the mats, each athlete carrying the weight of their school’s legacy and the singular, burning ambition to move one step closer to the ultimate destination: the California State Tournament.

Below is an exhaustive, deep-dive analysis of the 2026 NCS Divisional Championships, detailing the triumphs, the tactical masterclasses, and the statistical dominance that defined this historic weekend of wrestling.

NCS D1EB: The Liberty Lions Assert Absolute Dominance

In East Bay’s top-tier division, Liberty High didn’t just win a title; they issued a profound statement of intent to the rest of the section. Emerging from the smoke of competition as the undisputed champions, the Lions showcased a rare blend of individual technical brilliance and broad-roster depth. Their performance has effectively positioned them as the frontrunners to claim the overall North Coast Section title this coming weekend.

The Final Team Standings:

Liberty High (Divisional Champions)

Granada High (224 pts)

James Logan (214.5 pts)

De La Salle (174.5 pts)

College Park (147.5 pts)

Individual Gold Medalists: The Lions’ victory was anchored by four standout champions who controlled their brackets from the opening whistle: Christopher Anderson (126), Jacob Livermore (144), Richie Beltram (174), and the formidable David Calkins Jr. at 195 pounds.

A Historic Quest: Much of the gym’s focus remained on David Calkins Jr., who is currently navigating a path toward wrestling immortality. Should the Lions’ strategy hold and Calkins triumph this Saturday, he will secure his place in the record books as a rare four-time section champion.

NCS D2EB: JFK Titans Climb the Podium through Depth

In a gritty display that favored collective perseverance over individual accolades, John F. Kennedy High School rose to the top of the Division 2 East Bay standings. While other teams relied on a handful of superstars, the Titans utilized a relentless “strength in numbers” approach. By the conclusion of the event, JFK had amassed 223.5 points,

successfully qualifying a staggering 11 grapplers for the Masters Meet—the highest count in the division.

The Leaderboard:

JFK High (223.5 pts)

 Jesse Bethel (182.5 pts)

Arroyo High (180 pts)

4th: Las Lomas (172 pts)

5th: Miramonte (175 pts)

The Pillars of the Program: While Cameron Jackson (120) stood alone as the team’s singular individual champion, the heavy lifting was done by podium finishers Rama Valencerina (106), Jaxon Samonte (138), and Jacob Dominguez (285). Their ability to fight through the consolation brackets and secure placement points was the definitive factor in JFK’s championship trophy.

NCS D2RE: Ukiah High Rules the Redwood Empire

Moving to the Redwood Empire, Ukiah High delivered a masterclass in aggressive, high-scoring wrestling. Demonstrating a clear physical and technical advantage, Ukiah tallied 255 points, creating a significant cushion between themselves and a very talented Windsor High squad.

The Standings of Note:

Ukiah High (255 pts)

Windsor High (220.5 pts)

Del Norte High (201 pts)

Montgomery High (163 pts)

Arcata High (140.5 pts)

The Ukiah Title-Holders: The program’s dominance was solidified by four individual golds: Gibran Silva (113), Trent Christensen (165), Juda Palley (175), and Jordan Schwarm (215).

Northern Resilience: Despite Ukiah’s lead, Del Norte High remained a constant threat throughout the tournament. Powered by the high-profile Lewis brothers, Thunder and Wyatt, the squad finished in a powerful third place, ensuring the far north will be well-represented at the Masters.

NCS D3: Willits High Flexes Championship Muscle

In Division 3, Willits High proved that they possess the elite-level “hammers” required to dominate a tournament field. Their strategy focused on high-efficiency scoring, which resulted in an impressive five wrestlers reaching the championship finals.

Top Five Team Totals:

Willits High (Champions)

McKinleyville High (151 pts)

Healdsburg (135 pts)

4th: Kelseyville High (134.5 pts)

5th: St. Patrick – St. Vincent (101.5 pts)

The Gold Standard: Willits’ victory was built on the backs of three individual champions: Vladimir Bertolino (106), Aiden Punihaole-Figueroa (120), and Donald Glenn (215). The supplementary points provided by finalists Gavin McFadden (138) and Rickey Ramirez (144) effectively sealed the doors on any potential comeback from the runner-up, McKinleyville.

The Horizon: The Road to the State Tournament

The divisional dust has settled, but the most arduous part of the journey lies ahead. The qualifiers from these four grueling tournaments are now converging for the North Coast Section Masters Tournament.

This upcoming weekend represents the ultimate “Survive and Advance” scenario. There are no more second chances; only the top-tier finishers will punch their tickets to the hallowed mats of the State Tournament in Bakersfield. The stakes have reached their zenith, and for these student-athletes, the next few days will define their season.

Photo Credit: Johnn Sachs at Tech-Fall