Wrestlers excel in win over Kuna

Friday, December 19, 2014

The Mountain Home Tigers got their wrestling season off to a great start last Wednesday night with a 46-36 conference dual win over the defending 4A state champion Kuna Kavemen at Kuna.

The Tigers started slow, and trailed 20-0 after the first four matches, but won eight of the remaining 11 matches -- seven of them by pins -- to register the win over the Kavemen.

Winning by pins for the Tigers were Hunter McCluskey (98 pounds), Pierce Mederios (106), David Welle (126), Dillon Park (132), Tanner Sessions (152), Dallin Dearing (220) and Jose Ortiz (285).

Kanoa Doronio won a 14-5 major decision at 113 pounds.

Taylor Orgaard lost a 6-4 decision at 195 pounds, Tyler Heath lost by major decision (9-1) at 138, Tyler McCall lost by technical fall at 170, and Jacob Lucas (120), Andrew Thornburg (145), Brad Keierleber (160) and Daniel Cruz (182) all lost by pins.

Tiger wrestling coach Lynn Knudson was pleased with the win at Kuna.

"We were down 20-0, but wrestling tough, and the guys started getting pins," the coach said. "One thing our coaches talk to the kids about is always expect to win, no matter who you go against. They are starting to buy into that, and the varsity is really looking great."

The Tigers competed at the Calhoun Classic Invitational in Nyssa, Ore., on Friday and Saturday, and came home with second place. Nine Tiger wrestlers placed in the top four.

Kuna won the 19-team tournament with 210.5 points. Mountain Home was second with 134 points, a point ahead of host Nyssa. Caldwell was fourth with 107.5 points.

Pierce Mederios kept his high school record unblemished, winning the 106-pound weight class.

Tanner Session finished second at 152 pounds, as did Jake Ryan at 195. Kanoa Doronio finished third at 113 pounds, as well as Tyler Heath at 138. Fourth-place efforts went to Seth Dolan (106 pounds), Tyler McCall (170), Taylor Ogaard (220) and Jose Ortiz (285).

"We wrestled well, but most of all we found out what we need to work on," said Coach Knudson. "Our guys got a lot of experience and we saw a lot of improvement as the tournament went on. They looked good, but like I said, we have room for improvement. Our guys look forward to that."

Mountain Home also competed in the junior varsity tournament at Nyssa.

Tyler Hardin and Jonathan Keiser took first at the JV tourney, Hardin at 138 pounds and Keiser at 285. Jeremy Essl took second at 160 pounds and Hunter McCluskey finished third at 106 pounds.

This week, the Tigers go to Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls for the Bonneville Duals Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

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