Wrestlers grapple with forfeits at La Pine

The Sisters High School wrestling squad lost 48-30 in their dual meet with Elmira at La Pine on Thursday, February 5. The Outlaws won five matches, but gave up 30 points in forfeits.

Coach Jeff Smith told The Nugget that the highlight of the night was Aaron Fegenbush's (171 pounds) come-from-behind victory over Cameron Robertson.

"The lanky Fegenbush, who actually weighs about 158 pounds, faced the stocky Falcon," Smith reported. "Fegenbush scored the first takedown and then fell behind when Robertson escaped and scored his own takedown. After a quick reversal Fegenbush held Robertson's shoulders to the mat for two seconds."

Fegenbush said, "I didn't think I was going to win. In the second round he (Robertson) started in the down position and then stood up and we got in this funky position. I thought he was going to put me in a head-and-arm so I thought I'd better do it to him first. I did get him in that position and then squeezed as tight as I could, threw him to the ground and got the fall."

Thomas Schantz recorded a first-period fall over George Curtis to bring his season record to 19-4. Schantz leads the team in wins and has a team-leading 11 falls.

A first-period fall over Joe Sand pushed Kody Johns' (160 pounds) record to 14-5. Nick Head (135 pounds) pinned Isaiah Hartvigson in 1:13 in the first round to bring his record to 9-2.

Head said, "I was trying to set up a takedown and do this move I can never get. I was on the edge of the mat and almost out of bounds and had to do the move backwards so I could pull him in. It worked better than any time I'd tried it previously and I quickly turned him over for the pin."

Dylan Mackenzie was ahead 9-1 in his match when he flattened Justin Tollen for the win.

Smith said, "We're doing a good job of getting the pin. We don't get a lot of near fall points, because we keep people on their backs."

On Wednesday, three Outlaws with limited wrestling experience competed in the Central Oregon Novice Championships. Fegenbush led the way with a third-place finish at 160 pounds, while Connor Morgan and Steven Nemer placed fourth and sixth at 145 pounds.

The Outlaws final dual meet of the season will be held at home on Thursday, February 12. The Pleasant Hill Billies will face La Pine at 6:30 p.m., with the Sisters-Pleasant Hill match to follow. This will be Senior Night and seven graduating seniors will be honored.

Sisters will head to the District Tournament February 20-21, at Junction City.