LR Raiders wrestle at Kittitas, Pateros

Raider wrestlers mixed and matched in Pateros last week before heading to Kittitas for a tournament where Tony Nichols won first and Kaleb Horn won second for the Raiders in their weight divisions.

To get his first-place spot in the 152-pound weight division Saturday in Kittitas, Nichols won by technical fall, 15-0, against Lopez from Oroville; pinned Burvee from Ellensburg at the one-minute, 59-second mark; and defeated Jones from Colfax 6-2.

"It was a hard fought match," remarked Head Coach Steve Hood. "Tony was pretty much in control all the way."

Horn, on his path to second place at 132, defeated Lagergren from Pomeroy 17-0, pinned Steadman from Selah in 3:56, and lost to Selah's Callahan 6-2. "It was tied 2-2 until the last 15 seconds," Hood said. "Their guy got a reversal at the end. That was a good match; that's what we're looking for right now."

There were other Raider victories at the event, although the wrestlers didn't place due to their losses. Ryan Moon pinned Cle Elum's Zamora in 3:45, then Herrera from Wahluke at the 3:19 mark in the 145 weight class. At 160, Dylan Wiles pinned Ginter from Pateros in 2:31. Moses Luevano defeated Kinder from Riverside Christian 11-6 at 170, and pinned Wahluke's Yorgesen at the 3:41 mark. Brandon Long, wrestling at 195, pinned Prez from Selah at the 2:38 mark.

Ida Sue, the lone Lady Raider wrestler, defeated her two opponents from Napavine in exhibition matches.

"It was more competitive than in past years, which is exactly what we want to see," Hood said.

The Raiders wrestled at a mix and match in Pateros Jan. 18. "Pateros was good, great competition," Hood said. "Everything from beginners to state contenders were there. We got what we came for."

The league mix and match will be held in Coulee Dam at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 27, to help determine seeding for the district tournament in Oroville the following Saturday.