TRAPPER WRESTLING SHOWS FIGHT AT WESTERN

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Despite coming up on the wrong side of the final scoreline the Northwest College wrestling team showed some fight in its final dual before the winter break, falling 32-10 to Western Wyoming Community College on Tuesday night.
"Generally speaking, I feel like the focus was better, the effort was better," coach Jim Zeigler said. "I'm seeing some growth which I wanted to see by the end of the semester … That's the best team we've faced. They're better than North Idaho, Clackamas and Southeastern I believe."   

WESTERN WYOMING 32, POWELL 10
Taking on another top opponent to end the first semester the Trappers came out to do battle in close matches early on.
Dylan Sorensen kept things close but came up just short at 125 pounds, falling via a 5-2 decision to Nathan Fish.
Ryan Nutt also came up short at 133 pounds, falling via an 11-3 major decision to Zach Marrero to give Western a 7-0 lead after the first two weights.
"Dylan was right there," Zeigler said. "They're (the freshmen) just starting to mature as competitors and their desires are a little higher. Their fight is a little better. Their anxiety is a little less. It just happens. It's a process."
Zachary Covolo got the Trappers on the board at 141 pounds, earning a 12-1 major decision over Luke Schroeder to make it 7-4.
"Really good win for Zachary. Really good, smart match," Zeigler said.
Unfortunately, Northwest did not have a wrestler at 149 pounds and forfeited to make it 13-4. 
Another close bout at 157 pounds saw Colby Ducatt come up just short in a 6-4 decision to Western's Ryder Robinson.
"If he (Ducatt) wrestled like he did the last 25 seconds the whole match he would have tech falled the guy," Zeigler said. "He's so talented. He can do it, but he's not pulling the trigger."
The Mustangs extended the lead further at 165 pounds via a 21-2 tech fall by Banks Norby over Porter Olson, and an 18-3 tech fall by Fancisco Ayala at 174 pounds over Dustin Rhoades.
Northwest got its second win of the day at 184 pounds, as Asad Fayzullaev earned a 4-2 decision over Banks Love in a battle of the top two wrestlers at their weight.
The lone pin for the day came at 197 pounds, as Race Moxley fell to Trevyn Gates in the first period in 2 minutes, 38 seconds.
The Trappers got the win in the final bout of the day, as Austin Richens earned a 5-0 decision over Austin McNaughtan at heavyweight.
"I'm pleased to see that they're coming around. They're becoming a team," Zeigler said. "It takes time and you go through that awkward stage. November is rough because the freshmen have big eyes. They haven't quite figured out some things. But the sophomore leadership has been there. Those guys are teaching them how to compete right. I mean every dual that we've been in, Covolo, Dusty, Austin and Asad have been on point. Win or lose they've all been right there and in it and the freshmen have not been in it sometimes. They were in it last night (Tuesday)."
Following that dual the Trappers have started spreading out for the winter break, taking some quick time off before hitting the mat again for a difficult January and February stretch before the national tournament in March.
"I've patted them on the back a little bit and I'm giving them 10 days off," Zeigler said. "Then I bring them back and put them through boot camp."
Northwest will be back competing on the mat on Jan. 9-10 at the NJCAA National Duals in Miami, Oklahoma.