Wrestlers medal in two tournaments

January 7 found the Mules wrestling team competing in two different tournaments. The majority of the team went across to Coulee City to wrestle at the ACH tournament.

A few of the Mule wrestlers stayed home to compete at the Kelso’s JV & Lady’s tournament. Jesus Crawford (126) and Trystan Mendez (152) both chose to stay closer to home and compete, and both fought hard coming through with a pair of second place medals.

The nine Mules who crossed the mountains came in contact with some solid competition from a variety of east side teams and came home with seven medals.

Winning championships were Blayne Edwards (113), Luke Stacey (120), Mason Mackey (126) and Nate Cothren (152). Ben Vasion (182) also competed in the finals and came home with a second place. Alex Johnson (126) and Brandon Burdick (145) fought back through the bottom bracket to take third places.

"Unfortunately ACH tournament did not keep team points," said Mule Coach Matt Stacey, "however with 13 pins and two tech falls (wins by 15 points or more), the Mules were sure to have been in the battle for top honors.

"Among great moments for the tournament was Mason Mackey’s finals victory over Tyler Osborn. Osborn had beaten Mackey last year in the state tournament. Mason returned from an 11 point deficit in the first round to lead by points before the final pin."

Cothren also went through the full day without a full match, winning all his bouts by pin. Edwards and Stacey finished their finals matches by tech falls.