The Cheney High School wrestling team didn’t waste any time getting back in the rhythm of competition as the Blackhawks placed sixth out of 16 teams competing at the Freeman Winter Classic on Dec. 30.
“The Freeman tournament was a great test to see where we are at,” head coach Brad Rasmussen said. “We had been practicing a lot and it was just a fun way to end the break.”
One of the highlights from the tournament was Boedy Taylor (182) and Zack Nguyen (138) placing second.
“Boedy had just returned after three weeks of being sick,” Rasmussen said. “Zack also has really improved. We did great.”
Taylor started off the day with a win over Tim Gies from University High School. In the quarterfinals, he had another victory over Spencer Mallonee, also from University. In the semifinals, he defeated Cody Tardanico from Freeman. In the first place match, Taylor fell in a close 3-2 decision against Brandon Iris from Freeman.
Nguyen also went 3-1 overall on the day by starting with a 16-0 technical fall win over Hayden Villa from St. Maries in the first round. He went on to win 11-3 over Kaden Mackowiak from Chewleah and 12-4 over Kyler Anstrom from University to reach the first place match. Nugyen ended up earning first after losing 3-2 in overtime against Logan Holt from Freeman.
There were three other athletes to earn a medal at fifth place, which including Alan Coumbs, Dylan Straley and Michael Bozeman.
Coumbs (170) won his first match over Tanner Strange from West Valley. He fell in the next round to Caden Boswell of Deer Park, but Coumbs went on to win his next two matches against Josh Sanders from University and Josh Stricker from Newport, both by pins.
Straley’s first win was 5-4 against Aiden Charbonneau from University in the 126 weight bracket. He went on to lose in the next round against Avery Sundheim from East Valley, but did not take any more losses on the day. Straley pinned his next two competitors, Trysten Lockridge from St. Maries and Aarron Guererro from Cashmere, to take home the medal.
The one other Blackhawk to place was Michael Bozeman in the 132 weight bracket, taking home the fifth place medal. In the first round, Bozeman pinned Gage Seger from Newport, but ended up losing in a close 4-3 battle against Matt Morris from St. Maries. Bozeman went on to pin John Farley from Lewis and Clark and won 5-4 against Levi Miller from Deer Park.
“Having five kids place was great. It was our best results so far this year,” Rasmussen said. “It was just fun to go out and compete.”
Teagan Simon also found success on the mat after going 3-1 on the day and earning first place in the consolation bracket at 120 pounds. After losing his first match, Simon went on to pin every opponent to finish at the top in the consolation bracket.
Other wrestlers for the Blackhawks were Jackson Showalter (132, 2-1) Blake Seubert (145, 1-2), Shane Moore (160, 1-2), James Whiteley (182, 0-2), John Ennis (195, 0-2) and Jason Inman (195, 0-2).
Cheney continued league competition at Clarkston on Wednesday, Jan. 3. This marks Clarkston’s first GNL match of the season, while Cheney is 1-0 in league standings.
“There is a special kind of motivation against Clarkston,” Rasmussen said. “There is a lot of history there and it is always tough. It is a battle. We have to get ready for that and I think we can do some damage in their hometown.”
The team is set to host the Blackhawk Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 6. The tournament will take place at Cheney High School.
“We love our tournament,” Rasmussen said. “We have 16 teams coming in to compete. It usually runs very smoothly and everybody does their job. We are excited.”
Grace Pohl can be reached at [email protected].
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