Wrestlers fall to La Pine

Forfeits doomed the Outlaws in their match against La Pine last week. The team had no wrestlers in five weights and fell 18-51 on Wednesday, January 16.

Despite the loss there were individual bright spots. First period falls were recorded by Nick Head and Thomas Schantz. Head (135 pounds) flattened Austin Hoover at 1:11 into the match. Schantz (189 pounds), ranked ninth in the most recent state poll, needed only 29 seconds to pin Alan Boal.

Coach Jeff Smith said: "Nick and Thomas were dominant in their matches. Nick was surprised when Hoover took him down, but he quickly escaped, got a takedown and turned Hoover over for the fall."

The Outlaws also earned six points when John Connolly (130 pounds) received a forfeit.

"La Pine has a strong wrestling tradition so they put more kids on the mat, and those kids generally have more experience," said Smith. "Our guys competed well, even in the matches we lost."

The Outlaws will host Cottage Grove in a dual meet on Thursday, January 24.