Paso Robles caps undefeated league season with strong Masters performance
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles High School wrestling team delivered an impressive performance at the CIF Central Section Masters Tournament last weekend at Selland Arena in Fresno, advancing three athletes to the CIF State Wrestling Championships.
The Masters Tournament followed the CIF Central Section Division I Championships the previous week, where 11 boys and two girls from Paso Robles qualified to compete among the section’s elite. All 11 Bearcat boys who advanced out of Division I secured spots at Masters.
"An undefeated league season represents far more than a winning record — it reflects the culmination of disciplined training, strategic execution, and unified team commitment. For our program, this achievement carries profound significance," Coach Nate Ybarra toldPaso Robles Press. "This season's undefeated league campaign and subsequent championship title represent a return to excellence for Paso Robles wrestling. The annual championship match against Righetti High School is a cornerstone rivalry, and reclaiming the title this year demonstrated our competitive superiority and reinforced our program's standing in the league."
At the Division I Championships, the Bearcats placed seventh as a team. Individual results were as follows:
108 pounds – Vander Gibson, 6th place 115 pounds – Dominic Fonts, 9th place 120 pounds – Anthony Maldonado, 10th place 132 pounds – Logan Camack, 7th place 138 pounds – Drake Mello, 7th place 144 pounds – Christopher Jewett, 9th place 157 pounds – Josh Willis, 7th place 165 pounds – Pedro Coronado, 4th place 175 pounds – Christopher Melgar, 8th place 190 pounds – Caleb Konoski, 7th place 215 pounds – Alan Melgar, 4th place
Competing against the Central Section’s best at Masters, three Bearcats punched their tickets to state competition. Logan Camack (132 pounds) placed ninth, Caleb Konoski (190 pounds) finished eighth, and Alan Melgar (215 pounds) took 10th. As a team, Paso Robles placed 13th at Masters.
"These elite competitors exemplify exceptional consistency and resilience," Ybarra shared. "They have demonstrated sustained excellence across competitive seasons, steadily advanced in state rankings, and overcome significant physical challenges while maintaining strong academic standing."
The state championships will be held next week at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield. Qualifying for the tournament places each athlete among the top 40 wrestlers in their respective weight class statewide, in what is widely regarded as one of the most competitive wrestling states in the nation.
As a team, the Bearcats have been competitive all season, finishing seventh at Division I and 13th overall in the Central Section standings, while also compiling an undefeated league record.
“This year’s Bearcats team has consistently risen to the occasion,” Ybarra said. “We placed highly in every tournament, took seventh at Division I, and finished 13th in the Central Section. Qualifying three boys for state is a testament to their grit, and I couldn’t be prouder. The girls’ program is continuing to grow, and next year we’re aiming to send even more girls to state.”
On the girls side, Persauz Montoya placed fifth at Division I and Michelle Bautista finished eighth, earning both athletes spots at Masters. While neither advanced to state this season, coaches said the experience competing through California’s rigorous qualification process will serve them well as the program continues to build momentum.
"Under the leadership of head coach Field Gibson, our girls wrestling program has experienced significant expansion. We are working to build a fully competitive roster by establishing representation across all 14 weight classes. This year, we came remarkably close to achieving that milestone," said Ybarra. "A particularly promising development is the return of two Masters qualifiers next season. Based on their demonstrated performance and trajectory, we anticipate both athletes will advance to the state championship meet."
With three state qualifiers and representation across nearly every weight class, Paso Robles closes out the Central Section season as one of the area’s most competitive and well-rounded wrestling programs, with momentum building for both the boys and girls teams heading into next year.
Feature Image: First row, from left: Alan Melgar, Caleb Konoski, and Logan Camack. Second row, from left: Coach Mike Ciccarelli, Vander Gibson, Chris Melgar, Pedro Coronado, Chris Jewett, Coach David Ybarra, Josh Willis, Anthony Maldonado, and Coach Nate Ybarra. Photo courtesy of Nate Ybarra