Wrestlers start season in Evanston

Competing against teams from Utah, Nevada and Wyoming, the Wolves wrestling team took second at their first competition of the season in Evanston.

The Wolves scored 206 points, falling behind the squad from Bear River, Utah, which scored 269 points.

"For the most part, I am satisfied with the effort that the wrestlers put out this weekend, they didn't give up in matches and competed pretty hard," head coach Marshall Rhodes said.

Individually, members placed well. In varsity competition, Cyro Montoya took first; while Kade Knezovich, Justin Flores, Gage Byers, Kaycee Cochrane and Blake Waite took third in their weight classes. Nathan McCann and Jordan Tucker took fourth, Ira Dickinson, Eric Clingenpeel, Payton Tucker and Gabe Bunderman took fifth, while James McCarter took sixth. Also competing were Tanner Adam, Zach Orr, Cameron Kessner, Chance Anderson, Derrik Erickson and Justin Rubalcaba.

In the junior varsity division, Nick Froats finished first while Jacob Weipert and Kaden Lloyd finished in second place. Brian Beck took third, with Cody Price and Devon VanValkenburg finishing in fourth. Russell Ferrell took fifth, while Nathan Campos and Garrett Harris finished sixth. Also competing were Trevor Scicluna, Bronson LaFontaine, Anthony Wood, Tayler Jensen, Jarrett Atkins, Seddon Sanders, Dallas Wadsworth and John Makie.

With the competition being the team's first outing of the season, Rhodes said there is a lot to work on.

Rhodes specifically mentioned the team's physical fitness and and technique as key points they need to improve. Regardless, the outing was a great first tournament for the Wolves.

"This is a good tournament to start the season because everyone got matches and the opportunity to compete with wrestlers of the same ability," Rhodes said.

"We will have a lot to work on this week and will be ready to compete again in Grand Junction (Colo.), next weekend.