Wrestlers compete at Culver Invitational

The Outlaws participated in the two-day Culver Invitational on Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8, and were able to enter nine wrestlers in the varsity tournament.

After a grueling first day, only three wrestlers were still in the competition, Dylan King (145 pounds), Damian King (285 pounds), and Ethan Martin (195 pounds).

Martin proved to be the Outlaws' standout wrestler for the tourney. Ethan won three straight matches to get to the first-place finals match on Saturday night. In his first match, Ethan pinned Joan Tapia from Harrisburg, and then won by a fall over No. 4-seeded Hayden Hilderbrand of Crook County. Martin went on to win by two points over No. 3-seed Michael Heutzenroe of La Pine.

Martin faced senior Dax Bennett of Harrisburg in the championship match. Bennett entered the tournament with a career record of 161 wins and just seven losses. Dax has also been a state champion and Reno's world champion.

"This match was a true test for Ethan, and he stepped on the mat with no fear," said Coach John Downs. "But that was not enough to help him. Bennett's experience was too overwhelming for Ethan, and at the end Bennett was able to pin Ethan in the first round."

Downs added, "I was very proud of Ethan this weekend. As a junior, he won some very difficult matches and ended up with a silver medal. He did so well he even caught the attention of Southern Oregon University Head Wrestling Coach Mike Richie, who spoke with Ethan and gave him a college wrestling package. This was awesome for Ethan, and gave him even more motivation to improve."

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, December 4, the Outlaws hosted a dual meet with Summit. The Storm won the dual with a score of 48-18.

Varsity results were: Dalton Ford (126 pounds) pinned Titus Nagle, and Anthony Randolph (152 pounds) won by a fall over Mitchel Parel. Ethan Martin (195 pounds) won his match due to a forfeit.

Three JV wrestlers also posted wins on the night. Wyatt Maffey (138 pounds) won by a fall over Kurtis Parks, and sophomore Chaz Patterson (132 pounds) won by a fall over Peter Raley. Junior Austin Pade (145 pounds) won by a fall over Jake Menugus in the final JV match of the night.

The wrestlers will travel to Stayton High School on Saturday, December 15, for the SCTC Wrestling Invitational.