Three wrestlers make all-league teams

Seniors Thomas Schantz and Kody Johns both earned first-team all-league honors and Nick Head was a second-team all-league pick this season.

Schantz had an outstanding year for the Outlaws and finished the season 26-6 and recorded 13 falls. The 26 wins is the best for Sisters High School in the past 15 years, as is the 13 falls. Schantz took top honors in two big tournaments over the course of the season; the Gilchrist Tournament and the Woodfin-Robinson Tournament in Burns. Schantz also wrestled three matches against opponents who had beaten him earlier in the season, and won all three.

"Thomas is a warrior. He's steady and he makes very few mistakes," said Coach Jeff Smith. "He attacks back when attacked and generally turns opponent's takedown attempts into takedowns of his own. He's not real flashy, but the referee does raise his hand a lot."

Johns finished the season 19-7 and recorded 11 falls. Kody just rejoined the team this season after sitting out both his sophomore and junior years due to injury.

"Kody dominated in the Sky-Em Tournament, not allowing a single point against him in three matches," said Smith. "He is a great competitor with a great low single. We'll miss his leadership-by-example and an always pleasant demeanor."

Head had 13 wins on the season with only six losses.

"Four of Nick's losses were to guys who placed first or second in the state," said Smith. "Coaches with real good kids move them around to get tough matches and Nick tended to be a magnet for the best the other squads had to offer. One other loss was an injury default, so Nick was 13-1 against the others. Nick provided super problem-solving leadership throughout his career."

The wrestling squad wrapped up a best-ever season for Sisters High School (SHS).

"By almost any measure, this was the best season for SHS in the last 15 years," said Smith. "We wrestled better in every tournament we wrestled and we won a couple of league duals with a very under-sized squad. We had the best academic season ever, placing second among 4A wrestling squads in the state. The boys worked real hard and it showed. This bunch had a special camaraderie that carried up through a tough season."