Wrestlers travel to Burns

Sisters' matmen kicked off the wrestling season with a five-team tournament at Burns on Friday, December 3. Coach Gene O'Brien bumped all of his wrestlers up a weight because one of his wrestlers couldn't make the trip.

Sisters lost 51-30 to Crane in their first dual match of the day. Ian Patrick, at 130 pounds, beat Matt Davis in round two by a pin with a basic half nelson. Josh O'Brien (140 pounds) lost to Zack Cody in a 5-4 decision. It was a very close match until O'Brien got sick in the third round.

Sisters faced La Pine in round two, and won by six in a final score of 36-30. O'Brien was able to get back on the mats and got the takedown to defeat Deion Mock by a 5-3 decision. Josh has never lost to Mock and last year beat him at the district tournament.

Stefan Kirshner (145 pounds) pinned Stefany Johnson and Ian Patrick pinned Cody Oatman in round one. Patrick's quickness helped him to outmaneuver Oatman and get the pin.

With the score tied at 30-30, Ryan Long came out and pinned Eli Alen in a very fast-paced match for six points and the win.

"Ryan is very fast and athletic and is really showing some good wrestling skills already this year," said O'Brien. "He's outstanding and does whatever I ask him to.'

O'Brien stated that the match against Vale was very ugly, and the Outlaws made some major mistakes which cost the team points. Sisters got six points due to a forfeit and lost the match 58-6.

The Outlaws wrapped up the day with a 54-30 loss against Burns. Chandler Zenich pinned Landon Hartford of Burns in round two.

"It was a wild match," said O'Brien. "Chandler is the funniest person in the world to watch wrestle. He is an absolute animal and took down Hartford in a double head and arm."

Sterling Ryan, stepped up from 189 pounds, wrestled at 285. Ryan came through for the team and was able to pin Garrett Sovell in round one. Ryan went around Sovell, took him down from behind and pinned him with a half nelson.

Ian Patrick came from behind to pin Victor Renolds in round three in a very tough match.

"Patrick is very patient," stated O'Brien. "He paces himself and watches for his opponent to make mistakes."

Long (135 pounds), pinned DJ Falls in round two to end the tournament.

"Ryan had both of Falls' arms scooped up and won with a double head and arm," said O'Brien.

"This was a very tough tournament and I wanted my kids to know that we have a tough year ahead of us," stated O'Brien. "This week we will train hard and work on the technical part of the sport to try and get our wrestlers up to par."

The matmen were to head to Madras on Wednesday for a tournament and wrap up their week at an 18-team tournament at Culver on Friday and Saturday. The Outlaws will wrestle at 2 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.