Outlaws wrestlers compete in district finals

The Outlaws' matmen traveled to La Grande for the District Wrestling Tournament, held Friday and Saturday, February 15-16. Crook County took the first-place trophy, La Grande was runner-up and Mac Hi finished third.

Eight Outlaws wrestlers attended the tournament including freshmen Hunter Rychener (113 pounds), Dyut Fetrow (120 pounds), Mark Fish (138 pounds), Clayton Darst (145 pounds), Mitch Gibney (160 pounds) and Gabe Isle (195 pounds); sophomore Randon Elliott (126 pounds); and senior Mikael Savola (170 pounds).

As the tournament progressed, it took its toll on the Outlaws. Only Fetrow and Gibney advanced to championship rounds.

Fetrow wrestled six matches over the course of the tourney to earn a fifth-place finish. Dyut lost to Cole Skramstad from Mac Hi by tech fall 0-16 which sent him to the fifth/sixth championship round match. Dyut beat Jared Neiss due to a weight forfeit.

Gibney battled his way to the fifth/sixth championship round against Chase Copenhaver of Mac Hi. Mitch beat Copenhaver in their first meeting on Friday and Coach John Downs told The Nugget he assumed it would be a great second match with the same results.

However, that wasn't the case.

Downs said, "As Gibney lifted Copenhaver off the ground for a double leg take-down, Copenhaver hit the mat too hard and Gibney was called for an illegal throw/slam. The athletic trainer provided by La Grande decided that Copenhaver should not continue the match, which in turn gave Copenhaver the win over Gibney.

"I was still very excited that Gibney took sixth place at district for this being only his second year wrestling," added Downs.

The young Outlaws were given words of encouragement by Assistant Coach Peggy Frye.

"Coach Frye reminded the team that they are a varsity team filled with above-average, intense skills for their age and that usually freshman wrestlers are on a freshman or JV team," said Downs. "Wrestling at a varsity level their first year in high school was quite a challenge and Frye felt that they all met those challenges better than she imagined.

"Having the team hear that from the type of caliber wrestler and coach that Coach Frye is meant a lot to the team and they seemed to truly appreciate what she shared with them," added Downs.

Downs told his team they should be proud of their overall effort this season and that the 2012-2013 team is and always will be the foundation of Sisters High School's new wrestling program.

"With my coaching staff and these young wrestlers the foundation has been poured and hardened, and as long as I am here I will do my best for them as they continue to do their best for the coaches, the team, their families and most of all themselves."