Wray outlasts SC/F in intense dual; SC/F takes 9th at UNK MidWest

The SC/F wrestling team came out just a little short in a hard-fought wrestling dual against Wray, losing 34-39, on Thursday night. The matchup saw numerous thrilling bouts, with both teams showcasing impressive skill and determination on the mat. SC/F was off to a strong start, picking up wins in the lower weight classes, but Wray's middle to upper weights eventually carried them to victory. Individual results for wrestlers competing out of Fleming and Haxtun are as follows:

Grant Firme dominated Kace Chamberlain with a 14-0 major decision, to extend the team's lead to 17-0.

Austin Collins earned a pinfall victory over SC/F's Maddox Herskind at 1:44, closing the scoring gap to 17-6.

At 144 pounds, Scotty Engle fought back for his team, securing a 16-0 tech fall over Andrew Buoy Wray, to bring SCF ahead 22-12.

Ben Riggleman scored a critical pin over SC/F's Zach Statz at 5:10, putting Wray in the lead for the first time at 22-24.

Grant Statz quickly put his team back on track with a pinfall win over Brody Richards Wray at 2:57, bringing SCF within striking distance at 28-24.

Wray's heavyweights proved to be the difference in the final stretch.

Eric Tracy outlasted Ryan Davis with a 12-7 decision, cutting the lead to 34-27, SC/F.

Another pair of closing victories ultimately earned the dual win for Wray.

SC/F faced tough competition at the UNK MidWest Duals, but battled their way to a ninth-place finish thanks to some standout individual performances and a strong team effort. The team went 3-2 in the tournament, highlighted by impressive victories over Millard South JV, Amherst and Norton Community. Individual highlights of the tournament from wrestlers competing out of Fleming and Haxtun are as follows:

Engle, 144 pounds, showed his wrestling strength, scoring multiple falls, including two in under two minutes. His consistency was key in keeping the team competitive in each dual.

Competing at 190 pounds, Davis was another strong performer, earning several falls, including in the wins over Millard South JV and Norton Community. His quick finishes were pivotal for the Cougars in key rounds.

Grant Statz, 165 pounds, made significant contributions, including a fall in 0:52 over Amherst's Gavin Knajdl, continuing to show his ability to capitalize on opponents' mistakes.

Firme, 126 pounds, had a tough tournament, facing challenging competition. Despite the outcome of his matches, Firme's presence and willingness to fight through tough matches were valuable for the team's spirit. Though he didn't secure any victories, his determination to push through each bout was an important aspect of the team's overall effort.

While the team had to face some heavy defeats, losing to Minden, 50-28, and Kearney, 71-12, they showed resilience in the consolation rounds. Their 56-24 win over Amherst and strong finish against Norton Community solidified their position in the tournament rankings.

Match results are as follows: Round 1, Minden 50, SC/F 28; Round 2, Kearney 71, SC/F 12; Round 3, SC/F 50, Millard South JV 28; Consolation Round, SC/F 56, Amherst 24; Ninth-place match, SC/F 48, Norton Community 29.

The team is set to travel to Curtis, Neb., on Friday, Jan. 31 to participate in the Medicine Valley Invitational and then they are set to travel to Stratton for their final regular season tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1 for the Stratton Invitational.