Your future, our focus
By DAVID DICKEY
Powell Tribune Sports Editor
In a match at Huntley Project High School in Montana Thursday, Jan. 17, the Northwest College Trappers suffered a 33-10 loss to the University of Great Falls.
The Trappers claimed wins at 125, 141 and 149, but suffered a series of losses by major decisions at 165, 174 and 184. NWC also forfeited matches in the 157, 197 and the heavyweight divisions.
Trapper Jeremy Ensley, ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA standings at 125, continued to show why he is considered one of NWC's top performers by defeating Forest Bouge 6-5. Bouge entered the bout with a No. 6 ranking in the NAIA standings.
At 141, No. 8 Anthony Varnell secured a win for the Trappers by defeating Blake Risk 8-0.
The Trappers third victory of the match occurred in the 149-pound weight class where Jordan Ewen topped Josh Beeman 10-7. For Ewen, the victory was particularly satisfying because he is a graduate of Huntley Project and a number of his family and friends were in the stands for his triumphant return home.
"That was a neat deal for him," said NWC head coach Jim Zeigler. "Great Falls' entry at 174 also is from Huntley Project, and he won his match as well. There was just a cool wrestling atmosphere there. It was fun for the people from Huntley Project, Forsyth and Colstrip who came out to see some good, college wrestling. They didn't necessarily cheer for one team or another. They cheered more for good wrestling action. I think they were really appreciative of the chance to see two solid programs going after each other."
In other matches, NWC's Luis Carranza lost a 7-2 decision to Brody Verrall. At 157, Trapper and sixth-ranked Mason Peebles ran into the NAIA's second-ranked wrestler, Wayne French, and suffered a 9-0 setback.
NWC's Corey Green, at 174, also lost by a major decision during his bout with Brendon DeCock. DeCock outscored the eighth-ranked sophomore 14-5. Darren Lewis, the Trappers entry at 184, lost 10-1 to give NWC its third loss by a major decision. His setback came against Mike Kummer, who brought a No. 2 ranking into the bout.
Up next: The Trappers, ranked eighth in the NJCAA team rankings released Tuesday, Jan. 15, will be in action against starting this Friday when the Apodaca Dual Showdown gets under way at Hank Cabre Gymnasium in Powell at 5 p.m. The two-day event has a 10 a.m. start time Saturday.
Following Saturday's action, NWC will conduct Trapper Overtime at the DeWitt Student Center Lounge. Hot hors d'oeuvres will be served, and fans will have the chance to meet with Zeigler and the Trapper wrestlers. The event is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m.
NJCAA Team Standings
(as of Jan. 15)
1. Iowa Central
2. St. Louis-Meramec
3. Colby
4. Labette
5. North Iowa
6. Western Wyoming
7. North Idaho
8. Northwest
9. Neosho
10. Spartanburg Methodist