TWO NWC WRESTLERS WIN HOME OPENER

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Northwest College hosted the Joe Mickelson Memorial Wrestling open on Saturday to open its season — with Bobur Birdiyorov and Aziz Fayzullaev claiming championships in their respective classes.

Birdiyorov got things started for Northwest in the 141 pound class, winning his quarterfinal match by pin at the 2:02 mark.

He then won a tight match against Tristan Bremer from Providence via a 4-2 decision.

In the championship, Birdiyorov again pinned his opponent in Colin Silverthorn from Montana State-Northern — claiming the win in 2:34.

Fayzullaev started the day off with a bye at 174 pounds, before winning his opener against Blaze Sumiye from Providence in 2:40.

He then won by major decision 16-6 in the semifinals, and won by a 10-4 decision in the final against Christian Smoot from Western Wyoming.

"I thought that they were dominating in their performance, but like most guys at that elite level they are rarely satisfied with their performance," coach Jim Zeigler said. "I am proud of them, they did a great job. Having two champs was exciting."

Another Trapper who had a successful weekend was transfer Cody Pinkerton at 285 pounds, winning his opening match 6-1 after a first round bye.

In the semifinals Pinkerton secured a 3-1 victory over Ethan DeRoche from Providence to advance to the championship match.

In that final, KC Buday of Providence held onto a close 2-1 victory to give Pinkerton second in his first tournament as a Trapper.

"Cody did a great job," Zeigler said. "He had a close match in the finals that I think could have gone either way, he's looking forward to wrestling that guy again I think."

Seven other Trappers came out and competed in the opening home tournament for a majority of their first action in college.

"The kids that have never wrestled in college don't quite know what to expect," Zeigler said. "I think they hold back, there's a little competitive anxiety but that kind of works itself out throughout the day."

At 125 pounds, Avery McSpadden (0-2) lost in the consolation semifinal and Roberto Garcia (0-2) lost in the consolation round.

At 133 pounds, Jose Treyes (1-2) advanced to the semifinal before losing, and subsequently lost in the consolation semifinal.

"He lost a match to a really good kid from Western," Zeigler said. "He lost 13-9, wrestled hard — I liked the competitiveness and intensity that he showed and brought some real promise moving forward."

Another wrestler at 141 pounds for the Trappers was Jake Olsen (0-2) who was knocked out of the tournament in the consolation rounds.

Cody Todd (1-2) was the only competitor for Northwest at 184 pounds, advancing to the quarterfinal before losing two consecutive matches.

Leighton Jensen (1-2) and Josh Womack (0-2) also competed at 285 pounds for Northwest, with Jensen knocking out Womack in the consolation round.

The Trappers now head out on the road for the next two months of the season, starting out with a dual Thursday (tonight) against Northwest Technical College in Rock Springs.

Northwest was scheduled to participate in the Cowboy Open in Laramie on Saturday, but Zeigler said he does not want to push some injuries that have been picked up early in the season.

"That (Laramie) tournament is a meat grinder," Zeigler said. "I am going into protective mode, get a dual this week, a couple duals next week before heading into Thanksgiving."