Wrestlers participate in Officials Classic

Rongi Yost, Correspondent | Last updated Dec 06, 2011 12:0pm0

Thirteen Central Oregon teams attended the Officials Classic at Summit High School on Friday and Saturday, December 2-3. The tourney is hosted by the OSAA officials with no cost to the teams that attend.

Four wrestlers from the Outlaws squad placed in the top seven, including Josh O'Brien, Ryan Long, Austin Morlan and Hayden Jones.

O'Brien (145 pounds) had 24 wrestlers in his bracket and had to wrestle five times over the course of the tourney. In his first match, Josh pinned Diego Sanchez of Bend High in just 23 seconds. His second victory was an 8-4 decision over Ryan Alplant of Summit. O'Brien locked up a fourth-place finish when he pinned Brendon Hawes of Madras in round three.

"Josh had a difficult day and was totally exhausted after five matches," said Coach Gene O'Brien.

Long (152 pounds) beat Ellie Allen of La Pine in a 7-2 decision for a sixth-place finish.

"Ryan had a rough start but worked back into good form by the end of the tournament," stated O'Brien. "As the meet progressed he got his rhythm going and wrestled much smoother."

Morlan (195 pounds) pinned Juan Gegorio of Bend High in round one to lock up sixth place.

"Austin wrestled when he was younger and decided to come back and try the sport again," said O'Brien. "He's still a little rough around the edges, but it's nothing that practice won't cure."

Jones, who usually wrestles at 195 pounds, wrestled out of his weight class at 220 pounds. Hayden beat PJ Thompson of Bend High in a 4-3 decision for a seventh-place finish.

"Hayden has come such a long way since last year," said O'Brien. "And this year in just one month of practice he's gone from a novice-type wrestler to a true varsity wrestler."

O'Brien told The Nugget that over the next two weeks the wrestlers will need to pick it up a notch.

"We need to step it up, and we need to work on breaking some bad habits," stated O'Brien. "Wrestling is a tough sport and we've got a small team, but so far the guys have really exhibited the heart and courage needed to excel in this sport. In practice they really go the extra mile and then some. I'm proud to be their coach."

The Outlaws will travel to the Culver Invitational on Friday and Saturday, December 9-10. Top teams from around the state will be in attendance, including Culver, Glide, Burns and Lowell.

Grapplers are ready

The Outlaws matmen return a core of veteran players to their squad and anticipate a solid season ahead.

Senior Ryan Long (145 lbs.) and junior Josh O'Brien (140 lbs.) will anchor the team and Coach Gene O'Brien told The Nugget both guys have a great shot at making it to state.

"Ryan has come so far in the last two years, and his determination will bring him far this year," said O'Brien. "Josh's experience and the fact he's much faster this year will be a big advantage for him this year."

Juniors Hayden Jones (215 lbs.), Cole Craig (171 lbs.) and Austin Morlan (189 lbs.), along with sophomore Grant Chisholm (103 lbs.), also have varsity experience under their belts and will lend leadership to the team.

Four new additions to the team are freshman Randon Elliot (199 lbs.), sophomores Andrew Acosta (125 lbs.) and Jared Falkner (152 lbs.), and Senior Wyatt Gladden (160 lbs.), who is also out for his first year as a wrestler.

"All my new guys are looking good and making progress," said O'Brien. "I'm looking forward to a great year with this team. I'm expecting Ryan (Long) and Josh (O'Brien) to make it all the way to state, and I think Cole (Craig), Austin (Morlan) and Grant (Chishom) will be close behind them. You never know, the rest of my team could be right up there too. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."