Sisters wrestlers perform well against Stayton

Despite giving up points in several weight classes because they don’t have enough wrestlers on the team, Coach Tony Cosby has been very pleased with his wrestlers’ individual results.

The Outlaw wrestlers lost 60-19 at home to the Stayton Eagles on Thursday, January 19, but several wrestlers turned in winning efforts.

Kody Johns (103 pounds), Riley Gilmore (112 pounds), Nick Head (130 pounds) and Logan Chandler (135 pounds) all recorded individual wins for the Outlaws.

Sisters lost the first three matches (171, 190 and 215 pounds), to fall behind 24-0 right from the start.

Then, Kody Johns hit the mat at 103 pounds and won 10-8 by decision over Michael Flavio.

“We moved Kody down to 103 pounds because that’s where we want him to wrestle at District,” said Cosby. “Kody wrestled a very tough kid and the match went right to the last second. Kody was barely holding on and had a slim lead and almost lost it. Flavio was just ready to get a reversal which would have tied it up at 10 and then the match would have gone into overtime, but Kody held on for those last few seconds and got the pin.”

Riley Gilmore (112 pounds) won by a fall over Josh Bird in 5:45.

Cosby noted that the Gilmore/Bird match was very challenging. Gilmore was taken down at the start, but reversed it and turned the match completely around.

“There’s a theory,” said Cosby, “that 80 percent of all matches are won by the person who gets the first take down, but tonight both Kody and Riley were an exception to that rule.”

Nick Head (130 pounds) won 15-2 by decision over Jerry Elkins.

“Just two more points and Nick would have scored a superior decision,” said Cosby. “He completely dominated Elkins the entire six minutes. Nick is just amazing to watch. He’s a very good wrestler and has great technique.”

According to Cosby, Logan Chandler’s match-up with Jordan Cory was the match of the night. Chandler won by a fall in 4:50.

“Logan started down 7-0,” said Cosby, “and then in the second period Logan got put on his back and went down 10-2. At the close of the period Logan reversed Cory, and put him on his back twice to close the score 10-10. In the final period Logan escaped Cory’s hold for one point, then put him on his back and pinned him to record the fall. It was just amazing. Logan has come so far. Last year his skills were low and this year he’s improved so much he’s a completely different wrestler.”