A cowboy hat similar to the one that is presented to the winners of the annual Doc Buchanan Wrestling Tournament in Clovis can be purchased on Amazon for about $40, according to a recent search. But that rather paltry sum in no way takes into account the hours, weeks and—yes—years of incredibly hard work needed to defeat the best wrestlers in the nation and earn your lid.
After this past weekend, the Wick Family has three pieces of the iconic headgear after Luka, a junior at San Marino High School, whitewashed Luke Geog of St. Edwards High School in Lakewood, Ohio by a score of 8-0 in the weight class championship bout to claim what is known in wrestling circles simply as “the Doc B.” Luka’s older twin brothers earned their cowboy hats in 2016 when Zander won the 145 lb. weight class and Evan took the title at the 152 lb. classification when both were Titan seniors. Both brothers were four-time Rio Hondo League champions and soon accepted wrestling scholarships at the University of Wisconsin.
While nobody is keeping track, Luka—who went a perfect 6-0 in the tournament—might end up being the best of the trio and a further test of his skills comes as soon as this weekend, when he heads to the Battle of the Belt, another iconic gathering, where he will face the state’s top four wrestlers in his weight class.
The “Doc B” was started in 1991 by Dr. Floyd Buchanan, along time educator in the Clovis Unified School District. Buchanan was the first superintendent of the Clovis Unified School District and was the driving force behind the district becoming an athletic powerhouse. A former college wrestler, Buchanan had a soft spot in his heart for the sport and personally presented the cowboy hats to champions until his death in 2015.
Santino Sanchez performed well at the Doc Buchanan in the 106 lb. weight class, finishing 7th. Koa Ruiz won two matches in the 132 lb. weight class and Devyn Che also picked up a victory over a ranked opponent at 138 lbs. San Marino High School was also represented at the Lady Saints Classic, which took place at San Dimas High School. Heavyweight Hannah Collazo decked Emily Pineda of Walnut High School, Tilly Garcia went 2-2 at 113 lbs. and Ally Arrington had a strong showing at 145 lbs., finishing third in her weight class.
