Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

KIMBALL WRESTLERS OPEN SEASON ON HOME MATS

The Kimball High Wrestlers got the season underway on the home mats this past Thursday hosting Bayard. The visiting Tigers got the win 42-18 with Kimball having one lone win on the mats and two wins by forfeit.

Both schools had 9 wrestlers and the Tigers had 6 wins on the mats, all by fall. Highlight of the night for Kimball was freshman Toby McManigal registering a win in his first high school match, by pin, in 2:38 of his 170 pound weight class. Coach Wade Brashear's young and inexperienced squad showed desire and aggressiveness but made too many costly mistakes.

On Saturday, after a day's rest, the Horns were off to Akron, Colorado for tournament action. Coach Brashear said "As coaches, we were very pleased with the improvement we showed at the neighboring competition. Some of our wrestlers walked away without any wins, but showed solid improvement. We are a young and inexperienced team, however, we wrestled well. We look to continue to improve throughout the season, with our next competition at the Banner County Tournament this Saturday."

The Horns had only one medalist at Akron with Eric Escajeda finishing fourth at 285 pounds. Jordan Cluff at 106 pounds was 2-2 on the day with a 13-7 decision and a fall in 3:48. Garrett Pedersen at 113 pounds had 2 byes and and 2 losses.

Jake Jenkins at 120 had 2 wins by fall and suffered 3 losses. Trevor Ryschon at 126 had a win by a 4-0 decision and had 2 losses. Zachery Wagner at 126 had a bye and 3 losses. Dakota Flores at 138 had a bye and 3 losses. Toby McManigal at 170 was 1-2 with a 4-0 decision. Cody Kirby at 220 had a bye and 2 losses.

Escajeda at 285 had a bye, a 3-0 decision win, lost by fall, won 4-0, lost by fall, and won 3-0 ending up with 1 bye, 3 wins and 2 losses.

Action at Banner County Saturday is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Kimball is at the Bridgeport Tournament on December 19.