Broncos wrestling has busy week as season wears on

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos wrestling squad took to the mats three times last week, as postseason play continues to draw nearer.

The team first traveled to Ephrata on Jan. 8 to take part in the second Ephrata Mix & Match of the season. Eighth grader Brandon Davis, wrestling at 106 pounds, was one of just three wrestlers to take part in the mix and match for the Broncos, and got pinned in the third period against a wrestler from Othello in his only match.

Davis was down by a score of just 4-3 before he got pinned. Davis faced off against the same kid earlier in the season and was pinned in the second period after trailing 7-0 in that match, which head coach Jason Hilzer saying is an indication of the progress that Davis has made this season.

Sophomore Sam Michels wrestled at 132 pounds, and was pinned by a kid from Othello in the first period. Michels faced another wrestler from Othello in his second match, and was leading 2-1 after the first period before getting out of position and getting pinned in the second period.

Sophomore Doug Morris wrestled in one match at the event, but he made it count. Wrestling at 195 pounds and against a wrestler from Ephrata, Morris pinned his opponent with about 20 seconds left in the first period.

The next match was the South League Match in Davenport on Jan. 10. Hilzer was only able to take two of his wrestlers to this match due to injuries and eligibility problems.

Davis was one of the wrestlers who made the trip, and was rewarded by facing off against the No. 3 wrestler in the state from Reardan. Davis was pinned in the first period. Davis then wrestled against a kid from Colfax, and lost by a score of 11-8 in what Hilzer said was a pretty good match.

Morris also made the trip, and pinned his first opponent from Davenport with about 30 seconds left in the first period. He took on a wrestler from Colfax in his second match. After leading 5-2 after the first period, Morris pinned his opponent about 30 seconds into the second period, as he finished with a 2-0 record on the day.

In the final match of the week, the Broncos traveled to take part in the Crusader Classic on Jan. 12, which is hosted by Northwest Christian. Hilzer said it was a long tournament, and that about 260 kids from schools all over the area competed in the tournament.

Davis got pinned in the first period in both of his matches, facing off against opponents from Rogers and Selkirk.

Like Davis, freshman Johnny Ryan wrestled at 106 pounds in the tournament. Ryan faced off against a wrestler from Deer Park in his first match, getting pinned in the second period. But Ryan turned it around in his second match, pinning his opponent from Wilbur-Creston in the first period. Ryan then wrestled a kid from Mt. Spokane, and pulled out a 3-2 victory to advance to the next round. Ryan was down 2-1 with 30 seconds left to play in that match, but was able to come through late to flip the script.

Ryan faced another kid from Mt. Spokane in his next match, winning by a score of 11-8. In his last match of the day, Ryan faced off against the same Deer Park wrestler from his opening match, and lost by pin in the second round after leading 3-2. Ryan finished in fifth place at the tournament.

Wrestling again at 132 pounds, Michels wrestled a kid from Chelan in his opening match. Michels won that match by a score of 9-2, his first win of the season. Michels lost by pin in the first period to a wrestler from Liberty in his next match, and then lost by pin in the first period to a kid from Mt. Spokane.

Wrestling at 152 pounds was senior Dylan Lane, losing his first match by pin in the second period to an opponent from Colfax. Lane then faced a wrestler from Rogers in his second match, losing by a score of 6-3. Hilzer said it wasn’t a bad result for Lane, who he said hasn’t gotten a lot of mat experience this year.

Morris faced off against a wrestler from Mt. Spokane in his first match, losing by a score of 5-0. In his second match, Morris lost by a score of 7-3 to a wrestler from St. Mary’s.

“I think we’re getting better,” said Hilzer. “I think they’re starting to not have to think so much about the moves, they’re just kind of letting them happen. And they’re competing, not giving up.”

After hosting the Ritzville Mix & Match on Jan. 15, the Broncos’ other event this week is the Coyote Classic on Jan. 19, in Kittitas. Weigh-in is at 8 a.m., and match play begins at 10 a.m.