By Richard McCormack
What began as a maiden year for Dunsmuir High School Wrestling is not over yet.
After a grueling first year, going up against the top seeded wrestlers in each weight class, Dunsmuir wrestlers advanced out of League into Divisions – but it doesn’t end there.
Advancing to the Division Championship at Tulelake Saturday meant another step up a ladder that at the beginning of the year seemed too high to climb.
“All season long these kids have gone up against the top seeded wrestlers and they went out and battled with their heart,” said Tiger coach Robert Wallace. “That is what set this team apart for a normal first year team – their heart.”
It takes real stamina and skill just to compete at Division level. It is not for the faint of heart. Each school takes one wrestler from each weight class and competes for four spots. Out of Division the top four in each weight class move on to Master Sections.
At the Division Championship Justin Shuler (189 pounds) started out in trouble by losing his first match by a pin. However, Shuler rallied back in his next match and won it by points. Overall Shuler placed fifth in his weight class which advanced him to Master Sections in Redding as an alternate.
“It was a tough match,” said Wallace. “He battled with heart. I couldn’t be more prouder of him.”
Although Shuler qualifies as an alternate he will not wrestle unless one of the top four wrestlers in his weight class fails to qualify. If that happens Shuler will advance into the top four and wrestle in Master Sections.
“Sometimes it happens, a wrestler doesn’t make weight or is disqualified for some reason,” Wallace said. “Then Justin would move up and be in competition status.”
Jay Rhoades (171 pounds) showed good executions of his skill but was placed against the top seed in his weight class and lost by a pin. Rhoades went 0-2 in the tournament.
Johnny Slinger (285 pounds) went into the Section championship after a week of fighting a cold. Slinger lost the first match but rallied back and won the next match. Slinger took sixth place overall in his weight class.
Dylan Hampton (160 pounds) started out very strong by winning his first match. Hampton lost his second match and ended up taking sixth in his weight class.
Mike Day (215 pounds) lost his first match by a pin. Day finished the tournament 0-2.
This young team has advanced farther than expected for a first year team. The wrestlers have won individual medals as well as winning three team sportsmanship awards. Dunsmuir Tiger Wrestling continues to demonstrate and show what true grit is all about. As the team winds down for the year each wrestler is looking forward to next year and learning more advanced moves so they can advance even farther.
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By Richard McCormack
What began as a maiden year for Dunsmuir High School Wrestling is not over yet.
After a grueling first year, going up against the top seeded wrestlers in each weight class, Dunsmuir wrestlers advanced out of League into Divisions – but it doesn’t end there.
Advancing to the Division Championship at Tulelake Saturday meant another step up a ladder that at the beginning of the year seemed too high to climb.
“All season long these kids have gone up against the top seeded wrestlers and they went out and battled with their heart,” said Tiger coach Robert Wallace. “That is what set this team apart for a normal first year team – their heart.”
It takes real stamina and skill just to compete at Division level. It is not for the faint of heart. Each school takes one wrestler from each weight class and competes for four spots. Out of Division the top four in each weight class move on to Master Sections.
At the Division Championship Justin Shuler (189 pounds) started out in trouble by losing his first match by a pin. However, Shuler rallied back in his next match and won it by points. Overall Shuler placed fifth in his weight class which advanced him to Master Sections in Redding as an alternate.
“It was a tough match,” said Wallace. “He battled with heart. I couldn’t be more prouder of him.”
Although Shuler qualifies as an alternate he will not wrestle unless one of the top four wrestlers in his weight class fails to qualify. If that happens Shuler will advance into the top four and wrestle in Master Sections.
“Sometimes it happens, a wrestler doesn’t make weight or is disqualified for some reason,” Wallace said. “Then Justin would move up and be in competition status.”
Jay Rhoades (171 pounds) showed good executions of his skill but was placed against the top seed in his weight class and lost by a pin. Rhoades went 0-2 in the tournament.
Johnny Slinger (285 pounds) went into the Section championship after a week of fighting a cold. Slinger lost the first match but rallied back and won the next match. Slinger took sixth place overall in his weight class.
Dylan Hampton (160 pounds) started out very strong by winning his first match. Hampton lost his second match and ended up taking sixth in his weight class.
Mike Day (215 pounds) lost his first match by a pin. Day finished the tournament 0-2.
This young team has advanced farther than expected for a first year team. The wrestlers have won individual medals as well as winning three team sportsmanship awards. Dunsmuir Tiger Wrestling continues to demonstrate and show what true grit is all about. As the team winds down for the year each wrestler is looking forward to next year and learning more advanced moves so they can advance even farther.
