Weiser wrestlers busy with duals against McCall, Timberlake

Weiser Wolverine wrestling rang in the New Year with a dual on Jan. 2 against Timberlake and McCall in Fruitland. Timberlake and McCall were traveling through the area to weekend tournaments, so it was a good time to stop and get some matches in before the weekend.  
 Timberlake is in District 1-2, 3A with Weiser so this gives everyone a chance to see how they match up before state. McCall will be joining District 3, 3A next year to compete, so it is a good first look at what kind of a program Weiser will be competing against.  
 Weiser matched up against McCall first and won handily with a score of 60-18.  McCall didn’t fill out the weight classes as Weiser did, so there were quite a few forfeits, as well as some hard-fought matches.  Weiser had four matches won by fall and five won by forfeit. Results are as follows:
 98 pounds: Billy Nevarez won by forfeit.
 106 pounds: Aaron Despain won by forfeit.
 113 pounds: Bobby Nevarez lost by fall.
 120 pounds: Conor Marsh won by forfeit.
 126 pounds: Justin Williamson won by forfeit.
 132 pounds: Kooper von Brethorst won by fall.
 138 pounds: Eric Torres won by forfeit.
 145 pounds: Braden Edwards lost by decision.
 152 pounds: Matthew Morris won by decision.
 160 pounds: Clayton Beesley won by fall.
 170 pounds: Malachi Hoobery won by fall.
 182 pounds: Rylee Willet won by fall.
 195 pounds: Oscar Cruz won by fall.
 220 pounds: Jesse Lockett won by decision.
 285 pounds: Elijah Carter lost by decision.
 After McCall, Weiser then faced Timberlake. Timberlake is always a contender and has some strong wrestlers this year.  Weiser held their own, going back and forth and ultimately coming out on the short end with Timberlake winning the dual 41-33.
 Weiser wrestling has seen quite a bit of sickness, injuries, and even surgeries that they are on the mend from. Each team had one forfeit during the dual, but Weiser recorded four falls as well.  
 “This is good preparation for the tournament this weekend and also for state.  Timberlake is a solid wrestling squad and wrestling them gives us a chance to not only see how we will stack up, but also to see where we need to change technique and game plans,”  coach Drew Dickerson said.
 Individual results vs. Timberlake were:
 98 pounds: Billy Nevarez won by forfeit.
 106 pounds: Bobby Nevarez lost by fall.
 113 pounds: Aaron Despain lost by major decision.
 120 pounds: Conor Marsh lost by decision.
 126 pounds: Justin Williamson lost by decision.
 132 pounds: Kooper von Brethorst lost by decision in OT.
 138 pounds: Eric Torres won by decision.
 145 pounds: Braden Edwards lost by fall.
 152 pounds: Matthew Morris won by fall.
 160 pounds: Clayton Beesley lost by fall.
 170 pounds: Malachi Hoobery won by fall.
 195 pounds:  Oscar Cruz lost by major decision.
 220 pounds: Jesse Lockett won by fall.
285 pounds: Elijah Carter won by fall.
 Weiser split the squad up this weekend as well, traveling with seven wrestlers to Rollie Lane in Nampa and to Middleton for a tournament as well.
 It has been 13 years since Weiser has sent wrestlers to the highly competitive Rollie Lane tournament, where wrestlers see competition from all over the Northwest.  
 Many wrestlers who win or place at the tournament are champions in other regional tournaments as well.  The seven who competed saw a lot of matches, gained some experience, and learned where to improve technique.  
 Although Weiser didn’t have anyone place at the tournament it was a great experience and a couple of wrestlers made it to the second day.  
 “Rollie Lane is a tough tournament for any wrestler to compete in,” Dickerson said.  “Wrestlers who make it to the second day of this tournament usually compete well at the state level.  We now have a better idea where each of these young men stands just by competing here.”     
 Weiser will compete Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Parma, opening up conference matches. They will travel over the weekend to the Buhl Invitational on Jan. 10-11.