The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Although just eight Outlaws were able to travel to the 11-team Molalla Mayhem Invitational on Saturday, December 22, they packed a lot of punch - and notched an individual gold medal. The Outlaws placed eighth overall with 108 points. Molalla took top honors with a score of 245, Vernonia was runner-up at 212 and Estacada took third with 199 points.

Sisters had four wrestlers place at the tournament and two others were just one match away from the placing rounds.

Dalton Ford (126 pounds) was Sisters' top wrestler. Dalton battled through three tough matches and took the 126-pound title and brought home a gold medal.

"Dalton didn't want to be at 126 pounds," said Coach Downs. "He wanted to reach the 120-pound weight class, but was just shy of that mark. Instead of being frustrated with the situation he went out and wrestled his way to his first-ever first-place finish at a high school folk-style tournament."

Anthony Randolph (145 pounds) also had a top-notch performance, for the second week in a row, earning a silver medal with his second-place finish. Downs commented that the 145-pound weight class is a perfect fit for Randolph.

Freshman Michael Zoormajian (138 pounds) and junior Damien King (185 pounds) both finished fourth.

Zoormajian filled in at the 138-pound weight class for his second week in a row, and again proved he can wrestle at the varsity level. Downs noted that that there's a lot of pressure for a freshman in the varsity line-up, and Michael handles it

well.

King weighs 232 pounds, and each week wrestles opponents much heavier than he is. Damien split his matches with two wins and two losses. His final loss of the tourney was in the third- and fourth-place finals match, where his opponent pushed the 285-pound weight limit.

"I'm very excited for Damien this year," said Downs. "He seems to have more aggression and can go into the second or even third round, and still push himself and earn a win."

Downs said that his eight wrestlers did an amazing job.

"Even though we're a small squad, it's the most successful we've ever been in the years that I've been coaching. I was so proud of how hard everybody wrestled. It seems like the team is slightly improving every week. They seem to be picking up on the moves and drills I've been teaching in practice, and seeing them use them at these tournaments makes me feel like they understand and want to continue to improve."