WP Wrestlers Face Strong Competition

COLFAX - The WP wresting team faced some tough competition in Colfax on Thursday, January 16, competing against Colfax, Garfield-Palouse, Liberty, Reardan, Davenport and Wilbur-Creston-Keller. Only Kavin Kuykendall, TJ Mor­rison, Tyler Hoffman and Tristan Newman walked away with wins. "A lot of the wrestlers WP encountered are returning state competi­tors. We did very well for being a young team going up against some tough and experienced wrestlers," said Coach Lanny Adams.

David Just (126) pinned by Justus Arneson, Reardon, 1:12; pinned by Kain Felt­well, Liberty, 1:42; pinned by Trapper Askins, Gar- Pal, 1:12. Just lost all three matches but Adams said he did well as all three oppo­nents were past state com­petitors.

Kavin Kuykendall (145) Pinned Kevin Date, Rear­dan, second round (time not recorded); pinned by Michael Sims, Reardan, 3:38; pinned by Reggie Jones, Colfax, 2:58. "Kavin wrestled very aggressively and showed much improve­ment," said Adams. "Kuyk­endall faced opponents he'd wrestled before and held out longer than he had previ­ously."

TJ Morrison (152) pinned by Drew Howard, Rear­dan, 1:50; pinned by Kev­in Knauff, Gar-Pal, 1:35, pinned by Drew Johnson, 3:40. Adams said Morrison remained positive in spot of losses and showed "consid­erable improvement."

Tyler Brooks (160) pinned by Ian Hinton, Davenport, :56; pinned by Decision to Connor Nikkola, Reardan, 8-3; pinned by Technical Fall to Kevin Knauff, Gar- Pal, 16-0. "Tyler faced some tough competition. Two of his opponents placed at the state tournament last year. He remains focused and determined despite the fact that he is in a tough weight class," said Adams.

DJ Lalka (170) pinned by Josey Anderson, Reardan, 1:58; pinned by Leif Bos­dell, Reardan, :19. "DJ is moving more and is fighting harder to get off his back," said Adams. He noted that both he and Coach Just were pleased with the achieve­ments DJ has made.

EJ Oppelt-Rising Sun (195) pinned by Roy Comp­ton, 2:35; pinned by Nick Anderson, Reardan, :37; pinned by Evan Lord, Colfax 4:47. "EJ is finally starting to figure out his balance. I hope that EJ returns next year. He has a natural strength and I think that once we get his balance figured out, he will be a stronger contender on the mat," said Adams.

Tyler Hoffman (220) pinned by Nick McAdams, Colfax, 4:47; pinned by Evan Lord, Colfax, 1:04; pinned (name not captured), Liberty, 1:01. "Tyler Hoff­man is continuing to im­prove. He mentally beat himself in his second match. I believe that once Tyler quits doubting himself, he will get his hand raised more at the end of the match. Ty­ler wrestled very smart and aggressive in his last match," said Adams.

Tristan Newman (285) pinned Heiko Burkle, Rear­dan, 1:03; pinned Nick Mc­Adams, Colfax, time not cap­tured. Adams said Newman encountered his toughest and strongest competition in his opponent from Reardan - a foreign exchange student from Germany. "Burke is VERY strong," said Adams. "Tristan is thinking about turning a counter move into an offensive move. Tristan's first opponent attempted a head and arm. As the move was getting sunk in, Tristan was already wrapping his arms around the opponent's body. He let the guy take him down and used the mo­mentum to roll through the move and put his opponent on his back. Tristan remains undefeated for league com­petition," said Adams.