Outlaws wrestlers compete at Marist

The Outlaw grapplers traveled to Marist on Saturday, December 22, to compete in the annual Marist Christmas Classic. The tournament is designed to insure that every wrestler gets four to five matches, as opposed to the usual format where a wrestler is eliminated after two losses. Ideally, wrestlers have several matches against opponents of equal skill levels.

Kody Johns and Thomas Schantz led the Outlaws with fourth place finishes. Johns won his first three matches and then suffered a knee injury and was unable to continue. His recovery time is still uncertain.

According to Coach Jeff Smith, Schantz was in a weight class described as a "class of warriors."

"Good wrestlers from Harrisburg, Cottage Grove and Ashland went head-to-head in exciting contests that led to several overtime matches," said Smith. "Thomas wrestled his best matches of the year, and the battles will serve him well as he competes against the best in the state."

Ben Freeland went 3-2 and placed fifth in the tournament.

In the Junior Varsity division two sophomores, Isaac Gonzalez and Gilbert Porraz, placed second in their weight classes.

The Outlaws will compete at Pleasant Hill in a dual meet on January 3.