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NWC Faces Western Wyoming After Dismal Montana Road Trip
By DAVID DICKEY
Powell Tribune Sports Editor
Trapper head coach Jim Zeigler makes no bones about it - he can't stand losing to the wrestling team from Western Wyoming Community College.
During his 15 years at the helm of the Trappers, Zeigler's teams have lost just twice against the Mustangs in dual meets. The most recent setback to WWCC took place less than a month ago, and Zeigler still gets frustrated when discussing the 24-21 loss.
That setback to the Mustangs, the first since 1999, put NWC's record against WWCC at 28-2 during Zeigler's coaching career with the Trappers. Even with the number 28 in the win column, that deuce in the loss column looks huge to the man who understands the tradition and the rivalry between the two junior colleges.
"It was a very disappointing loss," Zeigler said. "I think some of our guys thought (WWCC) was just going to lay down because they were facing us. But they came out and wanted it more than we did. Their coaches have done a great job of getting their guys to embrace the tradition of this rivalry, and they are determined to turn it in their favor."
Coincidentally, the head coach at WWCC is none other than one of Zeigler's former wrestlers - two-time NJCAA All-American Blake Gunter.
According to Zeigler, Gunter was one of many Trappers who understood the importance of the rivalry between the Trappers and the Mustangs during his time in Powell, and it's evident he's got his wrestlers sold on the importance of breaking the stranglehold NWC has had in the matches during the past 15 years.
"A lot of our guys haven't embraced the tradition and history of the wrestling program here like we feel they should," Zeigler said. "If it's not something that affects them immediately, they just don't care."
Because of that, Zeigler said WWCC entered last month's match with the Trappers with a distinct edge, and he's hoping that will change Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 when the two teams square off again.
"It's up to us as coaches to instill that desire to win and to get these guys to embrace the tradition we have," Zeigler said. "I had hoped they would develop that appreciation, but I just haven't seen it from them yet."
Zeigler is expecting that to change Wednesday night. Not only is there a great deal of school pride riding on the match, there's also the need for a positive outcome after a pair of disappointing losses during last week's road matches in Montana against the University of Great Falls and Montana State University-Northern.
Against UGF, the Trappers suffered a 44-3 loss. The following night, NWC lost a 24-21 decision against MSU-Northern. In the Trappers' defense, they had five starters out of the lineup. Anthony Varnell, Travis Lamborn, Keenen Funk and Corey Green have been in the process of dropping down one weight class, and that took them out of the lineup last week. Also, Nathan Barzee is still recovering from an injury sustained earlier in the season.
Regardless, Zeigler felt his squad was capable of better performances last week.
Against UGF, a team that boasted six senior and two juniors, NWC got just one win. That victory came at 125 when Jeremy Ensley defeated Forest Bouge 8-4. The Argos, who also picked up two wins by forfeit, also got victories against Kyle Banko (133), Josh Wilhelm (141), Jordan Ewen (149), Mason Peebles (165), Darren Lewis (174), Josh Clark (184)and Brian Cates (Hwt.).
Against MSU-Northern, Noah Grovenstein got a forfeit win at 125, and Ensley moved up a weight class and won at 133. NWC's Banko and Ewen lost at 141 and 149, respectively, and NWC forfeited at 157. Peebles followed with a loss at 165, and the Trappers got a forfeit win at 174. Clark lost at 184, as did Cates in the heavyweight division. At 197, the Trappers suffered a forfeit.
Up next: In addition to Wednesday's dual with Western Wyoming in Powell at 7:30 p.m., the Trappers have matches scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho. On Friday, NWC will face North Idaho College. On Saturday, also in Coeur D' Alene, the Trappers will battle Southwest Oregon Community College.