Wrestling team hosts four-way match

Rongi Yost, Correspondent | Last updated Jan 18, 2011 12:0pm0

Jerry Baldock count

Josh O’Brien battles an opponent on the mat.

The Outlaws matmen put up a good effort, but with many wrestlers out due to illness and grades, the squad lost to Summit, Junction City and Elmira in the Outlaws' only home match of the season.

Josh O'Brien (130 pounds) dominated all three rounds in his match against Brandon Katter of Summit, and won the match in a 12-8 decision.

"Josh took down Katter and had several near-falls," said Coach Gene O' Brien. "He almost pinned him in each round but just couldn't finish him off."

Tanner Petersen and Chandler Zenich also won their matches against Summit.

Peterson (152 pounds) pinned Lewis Mok in one minute and three seconds in the first round.

"It was the best I've seen Tanner wrestle," said O'Brien. "He was more aggressive, and once he took him down he put him in a stacked position on his back."

Zenich (160 pounds) pinned Conner Collins in just 44 seconds with "The Outlaw," a new move Coach O' Brien taught his squad this past week.

"The Outlaw seemed to work real well for Chandler," said O'Brien. "It's a move where your opponent is in a standing neutral position and then you take them straight to their back. Chandler caught onto the move right away and it worked real well for him. He's a wild man, and he got the job done."

Sisters won two matches against both Junction City and Elmira due to forfeits.

"Overall, I think we did a good job," stated O'Brien. "We had a lot of nervous wrestlers for our one and only home meet. We're in good condition and we just need to get the nerves worked out."

Sisters will travel to Sweet Home on Thursday, January 20, and on Saturday the squad will attend the Frostbite Invitational Tournament in La Pine. O'Brien is hopeful that he will have most of his wrestlers back by the end of the week so they can prepare for regionals.

Coach O'Brien has donated a white German shepherd puppy for sale to help support the Sisters Middle School wrestling program. If anyone is interested contact Jon Downs, the middle school wrestling coach, or Rod McKinzee at Three Sisters Plumbing.