Trojan grapplers split opening dual
Staff writer
The season got off to a rough start Thursday night for the hosting Hillsboro wrestling team in its first dual of the season against Minneapolis and Halstead.
With a trio of ranked wrestlers, including 2018 state runner-up and second-ranked Tyson Villalpando, the Lions were too much for Hillsboro, winning the first dual 68-6.
Tristan Rathbone and Andre Patton were the sole Trojans who managed wins out of the 12 competing weight classes in the opener.
Despite the shortcomings, Hillsboro coach Scott O’Hare viewed the lopsided loss as a great learning opportunity.
“Minneapolis was a very solid team to open our season against,” O’Hare said. “They won a very competitive Osborne tournament on Saturday.
“Although it was disappointing suffering such a lopsided loss to them, it also provided us a great opportunity for us to learn.”
Hillsboro bounced back in the second dual to demolish Halstead, 42-18.
Of the 12 competing classes, the Trojans went 8-4 with three wins coming via forfeit.
Charlie Major, Raymond Johnson, Garrett Helmer, Jordan Bachman, Austin Rempel, and Connor Morey all went 1-1 on the day with Patton going 2-0.
“In our conversations after the duals, all of us coaches agreed that we have a lot to work on,” O’Hare said. “But we also feel like we have a lot to work with.
“This is a good group of wrestlers that are willing to put in the effort and to improve. We are excited about getting a few of them adjusted into the lineup so that we can fill all 14 weight classes.”
The Trojans will take to the road Saturday for a long trip northwest to the Ellis tournament.
Two days later, the Trojans’ one of two Canton-Galva’s competitors, Taryn Norstrom, captured first place at McPherson High School’s girls’ tournament.
Norstrom came out ready to go, setting the tone early to roll through the day a perfect 3-0, dispatching all opponents by pin in under two minutes.
“I’m very proud of Taryn for her performance on Saturday,” said O’Hare. “In all of her matches she set the tone early on and was very dominant.
“She competed with a lot of confidence and did a lot of technical things very well. She’s solid when she competes like that.”