Weiser wrestlers compete at Padilla Invitational

Weiser Wolverine wrestling headed to the Padilla Invitational in Parma on Jan. 18-19.  Weiser brought 31 wrestlers, so many, in fact, that Weiser had to split up into two teams to compete in the tournament.  
 A total of 14 teams competed during the two-day tournament, with Weiser’s A team bringing home a second place trophy and scoring 203 points with 20 wrestlers.  Weiser’s B team ended up in sixth place with 125 points with 11 wrestlers.
 First place was American Falls with 236 points, so if you add both of Weiser’s teams together, Weiser wrestling did extremely well.  
 The Padilla Invitational is a tournament where state seeding criteria is in effect. It also boasts talent from both Idaho and Oregon and levels from 2A-5A competition.  
 Weiser’s wrestlers did very well in the tournament, practicing some things learned in the wrestling room and trying some different moves.
 Weiser had four wrestlers in the finals, which is an improvement over last year’s results.  
 One match in particular was heartbreaking and a reminder that no rules are perfect in any sport.
 Malachi Hoobery was facing a competitor from American Falls in the final match.  As the two were wrestling, Malachi was called for unnecessary roughness, a call that was questionable. The wrestler lay on the mat and a realization came to the forefront.
 In wrestling, when a competitor is called for unnecessary roughness and the wrestler affected is unable to continue after a one-minute time period, the wrestler committing the unnecessary roughness is disqualified and the other wrestler wins by default.  
 As a result of this call, Malachi automatically lost the match, even though the score was 4-1 in the third period in Hoobery’s favor. During this match, the crowd, some from Weiser and some not, let the referee and coaches know that they felt it was an unfair call and win for American Falls.  
 In the other finals matches, Kooper von Brethorst (126 pounds), Maddox Stevens (145 pounds), and Boone Ksiazek (160 pounds) all won, receiving first place medals.  
 “These gentlemen faced a lot of challenges this weekend and did some soul searching.  I have no doubt that if Hoobery meets the American Falls kid again at state competition, he will be more than ready for that battle,” coach Drew Dickerson said.  
 “We always seem to take on the underdog mentality and it serves us well. I am extremely proud of what our team accomplished this weekend,” he said.
 Individual results were:
 First place:  Kooper von Brethorst, 126 pounds; Maddox Stevens, 145 pounds; Boone Ksiazek, 160 pounds.
 Second place:  Malachi Hoobery, 170 pounds.
 Third place: Mason Strong, 120 pounds; Matthew Morris, 152 pounds; Stetson Beesley, 170 pounds; Rylee Willet, 195 pounds.
 Fourth place: Bobby Nevarez, 98 pounds; Conor Marsh, 120 pounds; Braden Edwards, 138 pounds; Jesse Lockett, 220 pounds.