Tigers place at Spring Creek meet

The Mountain Home Tigers wrestling team faced plenty of competition during the Spring Creek Wrestling Tournament in Nevada before making short work of the matmen from Jerome High School just three days later.

The Tigers placed fifth overall out of the 29 teams attending the two-day tournament at Spring Creek, which wrapped up Jan. 16.

Pierce Mederios finished second overall in the 113-pound weight class with Taylor Ogaard finishing second in the 220 division and Jose Ortiz picking up the team's third second-place title in the 285. Kanoa Doronio finished third in the 120 division with Daniel Cruz taking fourth in the 195.

Tigers placing fifth overall were Tyler Hardin at 145 and Jonathan Kaiser in the 285. Meanwhile, Hunter McCluskey came in sixth place in the 106 division.

Jerome proved to be no match for the visiting Mountain Home matmen, who dominated the mats during the Jan. 19 meet. The varsity Tigers squad pummeled the competition with eight players picking up wins by fall.

Those earning wins by fall were Hunter McCluskey in the 113-pound weight class, Pierce Mederios at 120, Kanoa Doronio in the 126 division, Zack Slack at 132, Dillon Park in the 138, Tyler Hardin at the 152, Andrew Thornburg in the 160 division and Jose Ortiz at 285. Those winning by forfeit were Gage Wilson in the 98-pound weight class, Jayden Sexton at 170 and Taylor Ogaard in the 220 division.

Brad Keierleber lost by a fall in the 145 while Daniel Cruz lost by decision in the 195 division.

Mountain Home's junior varsity squad faced a more determined Jerome team during a 36-15 victory. Those winning by fall were Troy Elliot and Hunter Thornburg in the 126-pound weight class, Ryan Grindle in the 138, Henry Bergstol at 145, Alex Castro in the 152 and Timothy Goodell at 195.

Those losing by fall were Austin Tetrault in the 145 division and Johnathon Sprain at 160. Meanwhile, David Welle lost by decision in the 138 division.

On Saturday, the Tigers took to the road to wrap up the Parma Tournament and head to Middleton today, Jan. 27, for a tri-meet versus Homedale and Middleton. The remain on the road the rest of the week with an appearance at the Moscow Quad Tournament on Thursday, Jan. 28, and travel to Coeur D' Alene on Friday and Saturday for the North Idaho Rumble.

The Tigers return home on Tuesday for a tri-meet versus Kimberly and Gooding in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium before they wrap up their regular season Feb. 10 at Caldwell.