The Cheney High School varsity wrestling team racked up its first win of the season on Friday, Nov. 30, edging out Deer Park 31-30 in non-league action for the first time in several years.
The Blackhawks came out on top in about half the weight classes, taking the lead in the 106-pound and 170-pound classes due to forfeit.
Cheney sophomore Luke Ruby defeated his Deer Park opponent by major decision 14-4, at 126 pounds. Sophomore Dylan Straley kept the Blackhawk’s momentum going, winning his match by decision 3-1 at 145 pounds.
“So far, so good,” head coach Jason Connor said. “We’re just a couple of weeks in, so we’re really just getting started.”
After more than a decade as a middle school and assistant high school wrestling coach, this month Connor begins his first year as Cheney High School’s head coach.
The team followed their Friday victory with a solid showing at the Deer Park Invite on Saturday, Dec. 1, placing fifth out of 14 teams. Cheney placed with a score of 95, trailing Mead (291.5), Granger (201.5), Mount Spokane (188) and Ferris (104).
“That’s consistent with what we’ve placed in the past,” Connor said.
The team is preparing for its duel with Medical Lake on Wednesday, Dec. 12, rekindling the long-held West Plains rivalry. The match starts at 7 p.m at Medical Lake High School. and Connor said coaches from both schools are very confident in their players.
“We’d like to pack the gym at Medical Lake with wrestling enthusiasts next week,” he added.
Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].
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