Trojan grapplers compete at Hoisington

By RYAN RICHTER

Staff writer

Even after the Trojan wrestling team finished ninth out of 10 teams Friday at the ferocious Hoisington Cardinal Classic, coach Scott O’Hare had reason to be glad.

He believes the Trojans are heading in the right direction.

“I still believe we’re heading in the right direction, but we will have to take full advantage of the time we have left in the wrestling room to sharpen up some technique,” O’Hare said.

“However, the bigger hurdle right now might be staying healthy and having the right mindset to go out and compete their hardest, especially in tough situations against quality opponents.”

Of the 20 matches wrestled by Hillsboro’s six competitors, 8 wins were all the Trojans could muster.

Jordan Bachman and Andre Patton were the only Trojans to win more than one match, picking up three each, for third- and fifth-place finishes, respectively.

Bachman pinned Cimarron’s Adam McPhail in 5:15 for third place in the 126-pound class and finished the day 3-2.

Patton’s bids at wrestling for the 138-pound class title took a hit in the second round with Ellsworth’s Morgan Kelley securing a pin in 1:25.

Patton also finished 3-2, taking down Goddard-Eisenhower’s Harrison Renner in 4:49.

“The competition was very solid, but we just seemed very flat,” said O’Hare. “I felt like we gave up on things too quickly and just didn’t seem to have much fight in us.

Pain from a recent shoulder injury, along with illness, hampered Mackenzie Bartel, who suffered through a winless outing in the 120-pound class.

Others competing were Charlie Major (0-4), Dylan Horton (1-4), and Ethan Plenert (1-4).

The Trojans travel Saturday to Lyons for a round robin tournament with a 9 a.m. start.