Beaudette grabs one win

BAKERSFIELD — Bradley Beaudette’s season ended with a tight, tough loss, but the Newport Harbor High senior wrestler still felt a sense of contentment in Bakersfield Saturday.

The 189-pounder went 1-2 and was eliminated on the first day of the CIF State Championship Meet at Rabobank Arena.

Beaudette (35-13) ended with a 1-0 loss to junior Jariah Booker from Las Plumas High of Oroville.

“It was fun,” Beaudette, during a phone interview, said of his experience at state. “It was my goal to get here so I’m happy. That [loss to Booker] was a heartbreaker, but that happens.”

Beaudette said the match against Booker was one of his closest of a breakthrough season. Along with a spot at state, Beaudette also earned a CIF Southern Section Inland Division championship and a Sunset League title. He also placed eighth at the CIF Masters Meet to advance to state.

He was the first CIF champ in the 12 years Dominic Bulone has been coach at Newport Harbor. Beaudette was also the third wrestler for Bulone to compete at state.

“He gave it everything he had,” Bulone said of Beaudette’s effort against Booker. “He did a good job. He was excellent this season. Being a CIF champ and placing in Masters, being in the top [33] in California, not bad.”

Beaudette opened with a 14-1 loss to junior Kyle Lincoln from Yosemite High of Oakhurst. Lincoln entered ranked No. 12 in the state by California Wrestler. Beaudette was ranked No. 33 in the state.

He bounced back from that loss with a 5-3 win over senior William Anderson of Granite Bay.

“The whole atmosphere, it was awesome,” Beaudette said of wrestling at Rabobank Arena. “There were a ton of people. It was way different than what I’m used to.”

Beaudette, who played football in the fall, said he will not compete in any sports in the spring.

“I’m done,” he said. “I had football and wrestling, and I’m wiped out. No more sports for me for a little bit.”

— From staff reports