YODER – The Southeast Cyclones wrestling team went 2-3 in five matches, posting a 13th-place finish, at the Southeast Duals in Yoder on Saturday.
“We were right there. A couple matches go our wa and we are right in the mix,” coach Matt Bullington said. “Just to even be in all these matches with those open spots, we were happy.”
In Pool D, the Cyclones took on Hayden, Colo., to start their day. Brady Tosh (170) was the only Cyclone to pick up a win over an opponent. He pinned Hunter Hatcher in the second period. Hunter Woodruff (285), Greg Logdson (106), Chase Lovercheck (145), Tate Carson (160), Bryan Baker (182) and Connor Smith (220) all picked up wins via forfeit.
Southeast gave up losses by forfeit at 120, 126, 138 and 195 pounds. Kaden Brothwell (113) lost to Taylor Powell by pin in the first period. Elijah Boyd (132) was also pinned in the first period. At 152 pounds, Tanner Hort made it to the third period, but was pinned by Hunter Planansky in the final period.
Following the loss, Southeast had a dual against Gering, Neb. Lovercheck picked up a win by decision over Enrique Saenz, 10-3. Hort followed that up with a win via injury forfeit over Waylon Cash. Carson pinned his opponent, Jayden Bauer, with two seconds left in the first period. Woodruff was the final Cyclones to win over an opponent, as he pinned Austin Duncan at the 4:26 mark. Tosh and Baker both picked up wins via forfeit.
On the losing end against Gering, Brothwell was pinned in the first period. Boyd went all three periods, but lost by a 10-1 major decision. Smith was pinned in the second period. Southeast again gave up forfeits at 113, 120, 126 and 138 pounds.
“We knew it would be tough for us to get a trophy with our open weights, but it’s nice to talk to the guys about only being a match or two away from contending,” Bullington said.
The final dual in pool play came against Mitchell, Neb., Hort was the first Cyclone to pin an opponent against Mitchell, Marcus Carrillo, in the first period. Woodruff won his match by a 4-0 decision. Brothwell also picked up a win, pinning Branson Scott in the second period. Lovercheck and Carson both got wins via forfeit.
Tosh and Baker both were pinned in the third period, while Smith was pinned in the second and Boyd in the first.
The three losses in Pool D put the Cyclones in the 13th place bracket, where they first took on Hanna-Elk Mountain. Carson, Smith and Brothwell were the only wrestlers for Southeast in a match. Carson won by major decision, 14-5, over Jonathan Nelsen. Smith was pinned in the second period and Brothwell in the first.
The Cyclones picked up wins via forfeit at 138, 145, 152, 170, 182, 285 and 106 pounds, while giving up forfeits at 120 and 126 points to get the dual win, 46-24.
Southeast advanced to take on Crawford, Neb. in the 13th-place match, where they won 48-18. Carson was in the only match, and he was pinned in the first period. The Cyclones got forfeits at 132, 145, 152, 170, 182, 220, 285 and 106, while giving up forfeits at 113 and 120 pounds.
“It’s tough to single out one guy,” Bullington said. “Everyone won the matches they needed to win. It was a pretty solid performance top to bottom.
The Cyclones hit the road for an invitational at Hanna-Elk Mountain on Friday and Saturday to close out the regular season.
“It’s always a good test to give us the last little test before we go into regionals,” Bullington said. “It’s a good chance for the kids to feel where they are at.”
