Falcon wrestlers topple Murphy

Published 9:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2006

The South Whidbey High School wrestling team put on quite a show for hometown fans this week in Erickson Gym.

Seven Falcons won their matches, helping the team to overcome Archbishop Murphy 42-33 in a non-conference match-up Tuesday.

Winning six points each on pins were Ben Morgen (145-pound weight class), Hunter Rawls (149), Matt Long (145), Trapper Rawls (285) and Aaron Mannie (140). Colton Vaughn (103) and James Shorr (135) won their matches with three points each.

There are three two-minute rounds with a one-minute match serving as tie-breaker, as Vaughn discovered when he took down his opponent in the last seconds of the third round and evened the score.

A freshman, Vaughn needs to work on his technique. He was cited twice for locking his hands together.

“Locking hands is a wrestling no-no,” Falcons Coach Jim Thompson said. “But Colton reversed the guy and won. He showed a lot of true grit.”

Mannie noted his opponent was strong.

“He was very tough but I had better techniques, something we work on in practice every day,” Mannie said.

“There’s a lot of talent on this team,” he added.

Thompson explained that good wrestling skills allow an athlete to overcome someone using sheer muscle power.

“Discipline and quickness, along with being in good condition, are the keys in this sport. If the guys slack off in practice they won’t do well on the mat,” Thompson said.

The best way to understand how wrestling works, especially the scoring, is to attend a match. Unfortunately, the next home meet — against Cedarcrest — isn’t scheduled until Jan. 9.

Parents and fans are encouraged to travel with the team to Blaine, 10 a.m. today, or Granite Falls on Dec. 12.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports @southwhidbeyrecord.com.