Your future, our focus
Northwest College wrestling set out on the road for the NJCAA National Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa, taking six wrestlers with high goals to the final tournament of the year this Friday and Saturday.
“We feel good,” coach Jim Zeigler said. “You don’t change things when you are getting ready to go to this, you maintain routine.”
Heading into the tournament the Trappers have high aspirations, aiming to bring back six All-American wrestlers in the process.
Bobur Berdiyorov heads into the tournament as the champion out of the Plains District at 141 pounds and is paired up with Jazen Brown from Labette Community College out of Parsons, Kansas.
Brady Lowry finished third at 149 pounds in the Plains District, and will match up with Channing Warner, a fellow competitor from the Plains District from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado.
Gus Harrison also finished third at 157 pounds, and will match up with Richard Mack from Northeast Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma.
Aziz Fayzullaev heads in as the top seed from the Plains District at 174 pounds, matching up with Lucas Henderson from Indian Hills Community College located in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Another top seed for the Trappers is Ryker Blackburn at 197 pounds, and he will match up with Tobias Bell who is also from Indian Hills.
Cody Pinkerton is the final top seed for the Trappers coming out of the Plains District in heavyweight, matching up with Ronald Krewer from Triton College in River Grove, Illinois.
The Trappers have been through it all this season, continuing to grow stronger from each obstacle that has been thrown their way.
“Our team has been through things that no team should ever have to go through,” Zeigler said. “They did it with courage and grace. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I think they have turned something that was a horrific experience into something that has been bonding and binding.”
Northwest hit the road and was expected to arrive in Iowa on Tuesday night, taking a couple of days to practice before beginning the tournament on Friday.