Mule wrestlers shine in tournament

Coming off a great duel meet in Astoria against R.A. Long, the Mules wrestling team went back to the Warrenton Warriors' 8-way Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

This tough tournament brings in many of the strong coastal schools from both Washington and Oregon, as well as Castle Rock who brings down their varsity squad.

“Eight man, double elimination tournaments with this level of competition are difficult to place in,” said Mule Coach Matt Stacey, “making this weeks accomplishment all the more satisfying: Every varsity wrestler who entered the tournament placed in Warrenton."

The Mules had two first place winners. Senior Blayne Edwards was back in the line up at 113 lbs., making his season debut with a pair of pins to make the finals against Castle Rock’s Carson Horton. The finals match went to a sudden death over time, with Edwards getting the take down for the win. This also earned him outstanding wrestler honors.

Sophomore Mason Mackey (132) was able to win his second tournament of the year and continue his undefeated season. Mackey’s final match was a victory 14-3 major decision over Ilwaco’s Keishi Thompson.

Sophomore Nate Cothren (152) earned his way to the finals in one of two very stacked weight classes. In both 145 and 152 there were multiple seatable wrestlers--wrestlers who have excelled in post-season, regional and state competition. Cothren came in seated third, but moved into the finals with a pin and a 11-0 major decision before losing the championship round to Godinho of Castle Rock.

Sophomore Brandon Burdick (145) was also caught in the stiff bracketing. Because of the number of wrestlers and seven seatable wresters at 145, the tournament directors made up two complete brackets. Burdick was seated number 1 in the 145b bracket and proved that he deserved that ranking. Burdick won the bracket with three pins and a total wrestling time under five minutes.

Kody Vik (138) led the freshman class with a third place.

“Vik is simply farm kid tough," Stacey said. "He just does not quit, doesn’t realize he is behind, and doesn’t stop until the ref is raising his hand.”

Freshmen Luke Stacey (120), Alex Johnson (126), and Trystan Mendez (160) all wrestled through to fourth place.

“Johnson is still in his first week of high school wrestling competition but a fighter and learning quickly." the coach said. "Stacey had to battle back through an Ilwaco wrestler who beat him the first match of the year. Luke wrestled much more intelligently winning in overtime. Trystan, the Mule program's first second generation wrestler, showed fire and aggression to overcome several bigger opponents.

"It was a great day for our young wrestlers,” Stacey said.

Upper classmen Bubba Calvert (170) and Ben Vasion (182) are both “freshmen to the sport.” Having wrestled when they were younger, both have returned to the mat and are getting familiar with it once again. Calvert was able to win his first pair of matches of the year as he and Vasion both won place place honors.

With this many wrestlers performing this well it is easy to start watching the team scores, Stacey said. Coming into the final round, the Mules were in third place behind Knappa and Castle Rock. Coming out of the finals, the Mules were in second place passing Knappa by nine points.

“In an eight-man tournament, nine team points is a small margin," Stacey said. "The team won this spot by hard work from each individual, varsity and JV wrestler. Jesús Crawford’s wins at 126 took points away from other teams. Each time a Mule put in the extra effort for a pin or took the extra pride and refused to be pinned, it helped the team score. It is hard to win a tournament when you are giving up four weight classes (106, 195, 220 and heavyweight), but the Mules put in a warrior's day earning this team victory."

The Mules host their annual Downriver Challenge Tournament this Saturday, with wrestlers from 15 schools set to participate. Action starts 9:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day at Wahkiakum High School.