Wrestlers have tough time at regionals

The Outlaws wrestling team had a rough time at regionals, which were held Friday and Saturday, February 17-18 at Crook County High School.

"We didn't do as well as expected," Coach Gene O'Brien said, "It's hard because we never get to face the Eastern Oregon teams during the regular season. We see them for the first time at regionals."

Josh O'Brien (138 pounds) finished fourth and is the lone Outlaws wrestler that will advance to state. He had a bye in the first round on Friday, and then faced the No. 3 seed, Cody Pfau of Crook County. O'Brien lost the match in a 4-3 decision.

"That match should have gone into overtime due to a stall that the official never called," said Coach O'Brien. "The next morning I received an apology from the head official, but by then it was too late."

Josh went into the consolation bracket and wrestled Brandon Hawes of Madras. O'Brien held an 8-0 lead at the end of round one and pinned Hawes in round two with the body scissors.

"Josh used his legs more in this match and was in total control the entire match," said O'Brien.

On Saturday, Josh faced Sage Pryhoroki of Mac High. O'Brien pinned Pryhoroki with the grapevine at the start of round two.

"Pryhoroki was really fast, and every time he went in to shoot a double leg on Josh, Josh would counter and throw Pryhoroki to his back," stated O'Brien. "He did that repeatedly until he got the pin."

O'Brien advanced to the semi-finals and went up against Jordan Deviney of LaGrande. Josh held an 8-3 advantage before he won by a fall in round three.

"This match decided who would go to state, so both guys were bringing their A game," said O'Brien. "Josh made a phenomenal pin in the third round for the win. He wrestled 150 percent and went all-out. The win put him into the finals for a third- or fourth-place finish."

In his final match of the tourney, Josh had to again face Cody Pfau of Crook County. O'Brien basically quit and allowed himself to be pinned in round two of a match Coach O'Brien thought should have been stopped.

"Josh took a cross face that left a huge scar on his left cheek and nose, and he also took a cheap shot to the groin. In his first match this same kid threw Josh into a concrete wall. Josh just quit and said, 'I'm done. I'm still going to state!"

Of the tournament, O'Brien said, "I'm very proud of all my guys. They all wrestled hard but just fell short."

Josh O'Brien will head to the Memorial Coliseum in Portland for the state tournament, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 24- 25.