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By: Casey Porter
The Guthrie High School wrestlers started a very successful and very busy weekend in Ada for a dual last Thursday against the Cougars. The Bluejay grapplers won eight of the 14 matches and came away with a very impressive 42-26 win. This was just the beginning of the success head coach Jack O’Connor’s troops would enjoy.
The Jays finished off the weekend in the Southern Oklahoma Invitational tournament in Duncan and placed eight wrestlers in the top six. O’Connor felt as if his wrestlers had a good weekend for the early season. “I felt like for an early season tournament we wrestled pretty well.” said O’Connor.
At 145 pounds Ryan Bilyeu won his bracket and continues to show why many believe he has a chance to win the state title at his weight. Although coming out a bit conservative in the finals match, Bilyeu worked his way back into being the aggressor and came up with some last second heroics. Behind with 30 seconds left in the finals match, Bilyeu shot in and completed a single leg takedown and rode out match to win his bracket. His win earned him the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament in the upper weights.
At 112 pounds Kolt Rinehart continues to round into form and placed second behind last years state champion. “Kolt wrestled very well on his feet and on top and got a lot of matches in, so it was a good weekend for him,” O’Connor said.
At 125 pounds, senior Corey Cummings continued to provide the consistency that O’Connor hoped he would at the beginning of the year. After wrestling great in the First two rounds, Cummings dominated the consolation semifinals and finals and placed third.
At 160 pounds Josh Russell had many opportunities for success this weekend, and relied on his upper body strength to cash in. In two separate matches, Russell used his headlock to take down and pin his opponent en route to a fourth place finish.
John Kane is still learning how to finish matches at 189 pounds as he won four of six matches and finished fifth. Kane was either ahead or tied in the third period of each of his losses and continues to prove that with a little finishing ability, he will be a major force to reckon with.
Former heavyweight, David Moody, is getting re-accustomed to shooting more at a smaller weight while finishing fifth over the weekend at 215 pounds and according to O’Connor, is coming into his own.
“David is still getting used to shooting more now that he’s at a lighter weight, and he is really coming into his own,”O’Connor said.
140 pounder Dillon Turpin, another football player looking to get into wrestling shape, is still looking to regain his wrestling instincts, but wrestled well finishing sixth. Rounding out the weekend was newcomer Ryan Kitch at 112 pounds. The freshman showed well for himself and placed 6th in his bracket.
The Junior High grapplers won just two matches Thursday at Ada and lost their dual. The High School and Junior High will both be in action Tuesday night for a dual against Kingfisher at the Guthrie Junior High School Gymnasium. For more information visit the Podcast page and listen to the Wrestling Coaches Corner with Head Coach Jack O’Connor.
Pee Wee Wrestling
El Reno Open Tournament
Saturday December 15
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Cayden Nelson |
Division 1 |
43 Pounds |
3rd Place |
|
Brandon Hendren |
Division 2 |
70 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Cy Trindle |
Division 3 |
64 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Cy Trindle |
Division 4 |
62 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Alex Nelson |
Division 3 |
70 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Alex Nelson |
Division 4 |
70 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Ethan Selanders |
Division 3 |
76 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Ethan Selanders |
Division 4 |
76 Pounds |
2nd Place |
|
Caleb Nelson |
Division 2 |
46 Pounds |
4th Place |
|
Dyson Brackett |
Division 2 |
55 Pounds |
4th Place |
Del City Novice Tournament
Saturday December 15
|
Troy Branson |
Division 2 |
55 |
1st |
|
Brent Wilson |
Division 3 |
70 |
1st |
|
Hunter Moore |
Division 4 |
120 |
3rd |