Your future, our focus
Trappers Regain Upper Hand Against WWCC Mustangs
By DAVID DICKEY
Powell Tribune Sports Editor
Jim Zeigler, head coach at Northwest College, often refers to Trapper wrestlers past and present as family. And as the head of the household, so to speak, Zeigler had to put the current wrestling family through a course in NWC wrestling history early last week as it prepared for last Wednesday's matchup with rival Western Wyoming Community College.
During Zeigler's time at NWC, his teams have lost to the Mustangs only twice - once in 1999 and most recently last month in Rock Springs. The November loss dropped Zeigler's record against WWCC to 28-2, but that's not what bothered him the most about the setback. What did get under his skin was the fact that the Mustangs simply outworked the Trappers and wanted the win more.
However, NWC turned the tables last week with a convincing 36-9 win over the team which is coached by two of Zeigler's former wrestlers - head coach Blake Gunter and assistant coach Art Castillo.
"Leading up to this one, we talked a lot about the wrestling tradition here at Northwest College," Zeigler said. "We talked about the people who came here and wrestled at Northwest College, including the young man who is now the head coach at Western. We talked about embracing the history of this program and taking on the competitive attitude that the former wrestlers and All Americans at Northwest College showed when they were here. Then we went out and worked. And we worked hard to get ready for this match."
The hard work paid off as the Trappers won all but two bouts during the contest between NWC and WWCC at Hank Cabre Gymnasium.
"Our guys wanted it more," Zeigler said. "It was a major turnaround from what we saw when we went down to Rock Springs last month."
Jeremy Ensley, NWC's 125- pound entry, started the match on a strong note for the Trappers by recording a pin in the second period against WWCC sophomore Lyle Evans. According to Zeigler, Ensley was impressive, much like he's been all season.
The Mustangs cut the team score to 6-3 during the next bout when freshman Garrett Brinkman notched a 6-2 win over Trapper Kyle Banko at 133. Brinkman's win came after an injury timeout following a hard landing that jarred Brinkman's head and neck. Brinkman recovered and was able to get the hard fought victory.
However, the momentum from Brinkman's courageous effort quickly was erased by NWC 141- pound freshman Anthony Varnell over yet another Brinkman on the WWCC roster - Stuart Brinkman. Varnell won by major decision.
"Anthony owned him," Zeigler said. "And that was a kid that was a region winner last year."
Following Varnell's win, the Trappers went on to claim six more victories before top-rated heavyweight Brandon Rupp pinned NWC freshman Brian Cates.
Included in the Trappers' string of wins was a 5-2 decision by Travis Lamborn over Mason Kinion at 149 and a 6-2 decision by Keenen Funk over Thad Zempel at 157. From that point, NWC continued to pour on the team points when Mason Peebles and Corey Green notched major decisions over Josh Ackerman and Nate Myers, respectively, at 165 and 174. At that point, NWC led 24-3, and the night got longer for WWCC when Trapper Josh Clark pinned Mustang Mike Hautala early in the first period of the bout at 184.
Top-ranked Nathan Barzee then claimed a forfeit win at 197 for NWC, which was followed by Rupp's win to end the match.
The Trappers followed last Wednesday's win with matches against North Idaho College and Southwest Oregon Community College in Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, Friday and Saturday.
NWC lost a hard-fought match with North Idaho by a 21-18 score. Despite the setback, Zeigler said his team wrestled well.
"I was really pleased with the way the guys wrestled," Zeigler said. "Even their coach said we outwrestled them. What impressed me the most is that the guys, from top to bottom, wrestled like college wrestlers. The old high school habits are gone, and I could tell the guys have clearly made that transition we've been working toward."
The highlight of the match was Varnell's 5-2 win over No. 1 ranked Tim Harris in the 141- pound bout. His win was one of five by the Trappers Friday. Other winners included Ensley (125), Lamborn (149), Peebles (165) and Clark (184).
On Saturday, NWC's five winners from Friday night were victorious again in their respective weight classes. NWC, which won the match 40-9, also got additional wins from Banko (133), Funk (157) and Barzee (197).
Up next: The Trappers will compete again Jan. 5 when they open the Lonestar Duals in Arlington, Texas. The following week, NWC is scheduled to travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the NWCA National Duals, which is a two-day event.