Wrestlers compete at invitational

The wrestling squad traveled to the Bend Invitational on Saturday, January 7, and finished fifth in the tournament. Mountain View was the first-place finisher with 303.5 points, Bend was runner-up at 240, and La Pine took third with a score of 221.5, Summit fourth at 178, and Sisters fifth with 84.

Cole Pade and Casey Warburton both earned third-place finishes for the Outlaws. Pade (138-pound weight class) battled back through consolations to earn a third-place medal.

"Cole again showed how tough he is and that every wrestler has to worry that they might meet him in competition," said Coach John Downs. "Cole made sure the No. 1-seeded guy had to earn his way to get past him and Pade only lost to him 6-5."

Warburton took third at 220 pounds.

"Casey is excited that he's lost weight to get to 220," said Downs. "This is his first tournament this season at this weight and he's more competitive, which is evident with his third-place finish."

Jake Stevens worked hard for fourth-place at 152 pounds. Freshmen Dylan Vantress (106 pounds), Garret Reid (132 pounds), and sophomore Dalton Ford (120 pounds) all finished in fifth place.

Brody Engstrom, heavy-weight and transfer from Indiana, also finished fifth.

"I am excited to have Brody on the team," said Downs. "In his only tournament in the last two years, and in a very difficult weight class of 285, he was able to pin two of his opponents. I am very excited to see what Brody's future holds with the Outlaws, as he is only a sophomore."

Sixth place went to Sal Gibney, Ethan Martin, Rylan Carter (120 pounds), and Patrick Dingeman (195 pounds).

Gibney took sixth at 170 pounds.

"Sal stepped up into the 170-pound weight class and replaced our starter position normally held by a junior," said Downs. "Sal thinks of himself as a first-round guy only. But, he proved this weekend that he can fight on into the second rounds. His future looks great with the Outlaws."

Freshman Martin took sixth at 182 pounds. Downs noted that a sixth-place finish is impressive for a freshman who has to wrestle upperclassmen in his weight

class.

"I was really proud of all the guys," said Downs. "We didn't have many practices this past week, and we've missed three tournaments due to weather. It was exciting to get the team back into competition

mode."

The Outlaws will compete in the Oregon Classic on Friday and Saturday, January 13-14.