Wrestlers compete in three way meet

The wrestling team battled Cottage Grove and Elmira with only nine wrestlers on Thursday, January 6. The team had several players miss the meet due to illness and poor grades.

Sisters lost 39-12 to Cottage Grove and then fell to Elmira 45-21.

Josh O'Brien and Ryan Long won their matches against Cottage Grove.

O'Brien (135 pounds) controlled round one with a takedown and near fall, and then in round two pinned Darrin Voit. Long (140 pounds) pinned August Ensminger with a front double arm bar 40 seconds into the match.

Sterling Ryan (189 pounds) wrestled well against Brandon Willis, but mistakes in round three cost him the match, which ended in a 9-2 decision.

Against Elmira, Ian Patrick (125 pounds) dominated the match and pinned Terrance Chong in 30 seconds. O'Brien had complete control of his match against Robbi Hodges (third-place finisher at districts last year) and recorded the win in a 9-2 decision.

Tanner Peterson (152 pounds) pinned Hunter Weast in round one.

"Tanner pinned Weast with a gut wrench stack that was just awesome," said Coach Gene O'Brien.

Chandler Zenich (160 pounds) defeated Andy Bruan in round two.

"Chandler has such unorthodox moves and beat Bruan with two takedowns and a pinning combo of a double front arm bar. He is like a racecar all over the mat and is so much fun to watch," said O'Brien.

O'Brien told The Nugget he hopes to have most of his wrestlers back for next Wednesday's home match against Elmira, Junction City and Summit.