Mars Tourney productive for Broncos’ wrestlers

The first wrestling outing of the season was a good tune up for the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos as they prepare for a season on mat action on the road.

The Broncos, who will host just one home match this season, traveled to Kennewick Saturday for the Bob Mars Tournament. Head Coach Jason Hilzer said his mat team faced a number of junior varsity wrestlers in from a variety of larger schools.

Checking in at 106 pounds this season Kyle Ritz won one and lost one. After being pinned in the first round, locked horns with an Othello opponent in a back and forth match where he was leading 12-10 in the final period when he caught his man out of position and pinned him.

Johnny Hernandez moved up from 112 pounds to 126 pounds this season and won three matches Saturday.

“He looked really good,” Hilzer said.

Keanu Niezwaag, one of the top ranked wrestlers in preseason polls at 145 pounds rolled to three wins on Saturday.

“He’s trying to get to 138. He looks about as good right now as he did last year at the end of the season,” Hilzer said. “He’s quite a bit more aggressive. Now he has a game plan when he goes out there.”

Drew Wilke wrestled at 160 pounds and won two matches and lost one. He pinned the first and third opponent he met, losing the second match in a 6-0 decision.

First time wrestler Ethan Melville had a positive outing.

“For his first time on the mat he did well,” Hilzer said. “There’s some promise in him.”

Melville lost two matches.

Wrestling at 220 pounds Zeth Swanger joins the team, having wrestled in junior high.

Hilzer looks to help Swanger qualify for the 195-pound weight class. He lost two matches in Kennewick.

Grayson Morris continues to improve and wrestled at 220 pounds, pinning his two opponents. Hilzer said he may eventually wrestle at 190 pounds.