Wrestlers crush Caldwell

The Mountain Home Tigers ran their dual-match wrestling record to 13-2 on the season, downing the Caldwell Cougars 44-34 Thursday night in Caldwell.

Mountain Home won nine of 15 matches, four by pins, and led 23-0 before Caldwell got on the scoreboard.

Winning by pins were Blake Spagnolo (195 pounds), Jordan Pendleton (138), Tanner Sessions (145), and Jacob Ryan (170).

The Tigers other wins were Solomon Chung-Hee, who won by forfeit at 285 pounds, Pierce Mederios (98) and Jacob Lucas (106) by major decisions, and Dallin Dearing (220) and Tyler Heath (132) by decisions.

Taylor Ogaard lost by a 17-3 major decision at 182 pounds. Dillon Park (120), Levi Abrahamson (152) and Charlie Shoemaker (160) lost by pins and the Mountain Home forfeited at 113 and 126.

Tiger wrestling coach Lynn Knudson was pleased with their efforts at Caldwell.

"Our guys just keep getting better and buying into what we are teaching them. They kept everything going, even when we lost a couple matches. It was a great win for the Tigers."

Mountain Home traveled to Idaho Falls for the annual Tiger-Grizz Tournament over the weekend, finishing eighth out of 30 teams, and they had four wrestlers place.

Pierce Mederios won the 98-pound weight class, and also earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler award.

Solomon Chung-Hee lost in the 285-pound championship match to take second. Tyler Heath finished sixth at 132 pounds, and Tanner Sessions placed seventh at 145 pounds.

"I'm very proud of how well we did," said Coach Knudson. "We finished eighth out of 30 teams with only 11 guys. I felt like we could have won some matches we lost, and we had some guys just one match win away from placing.

"Pierce Mederios won the 98-pound weight class and the Most Outstanding Wrestler award. Solomon Chung-Hee placed second, but had his best match of his career. Tyler Heath also wrestled his best tournament in his career, placing sixth, and Tanner Sessions placed seventh, wrestling in the toughest weight class of the tournament.

"I'm very proud of how well we're doing and feel we will be a lot better team come district."

It's a busy week for the Tigers matmen this week. They have a tri-match with Buhl and Twin Falls on Tuesday night at Buhl, a conference match at Skyview Thursday night, and then go to the Red Halverson Invitational Tournament at Minico this Friday and Saturday.

"This will be a real test for our wrestlers with such a busy week of wrestling," said Coach Knudson.