After struggling for over a month in the wrestling season, Fossil Ridge High School has bounced back and proved themselves in the Evergreen Tournament on Saturday, January 13 and in a dual against Mountain Range High School on Thursday, January 18.

Of the fifteen varsity wrestlers, twelve placed at the Evergreen Tournament and put Fossil’s name back out there by placing second overall as a team. Three wrestlers; Zach Klingner (4-0), Austin Yeager (3-0), and Nathan Meyer (2-0), placed first individually and didn’t drop a match the entire day tournament. The second place wrestlers include Hunter Geist-Sanchez (2-1) and Cody Ginther (3-1). Cole Suckow (4-1) was the only Sabercat to place third. Three Fossil wrestlers that placed fourth include Marshall Scott (2-2), Jason Brockway (1-2), and Nick Sanchez (2-2). Lastly, Brayden Wess (2-2), Jackson Holloway (2-2), and Ian Sampson (2-2) all place fifth. Kevin Meyer (1-2), Brian Foundoulis (1-2), and Justin Durnil (1-2) were the three Sabercats that did not place.

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Zach Klingner takes his opponent down to the mat and pins him to tie the team scores. Photo Credit: Adam Waters

Ending the weekend with success, the team’s spirits were raised going into the dual against Mountain Range the following Thursday. The night began on Fossil’s mats at the weight class of 132-lbs where Brayden Wess lost by pin. Moving on to the 138-lbs weight class, Zach Klingner won by pin and tied the team scores at 6-6. Cody Ginther then also won by pin in the 145-lbs weight class.

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Austin Yeager prepares to get out of his opponents hold. Photo Credit: Adam Waters

The Sabercats continued to pull away from the Mustangs as Austin Yeager won by decision (6-1) in the 152-lbs weight class and Jackson Holloway won by pin in the 160-lbs weight class. The team scores were in Fossil’s favor (21-6) prior to Jason Brockway losing by pin in the 170-lbs weight class. Nathan Meyer (182-lbs) then took the mat and pinned his opponent. Ian Sampson followed and won by decision (6-2) in the 195-lbs weight class. Nick Sanchez then lost by pin in the 220-lbs weight class and Fossil had to forfeit the 285-lbs weight class, bringing the team scores to a close 30-24.

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Kevin Meyer goes to pull a move on his opponent in the dual-deciding match. Photo Credit: Adam Waters

The dual then shifted to the lower weight classes and Marshall Scott competed first for the 106-lbs class. He won by Tech Fall 19-4 and increased Fossil’s lead to 35-24. Hunter Geist-Sanchez was up next for the 113-lbs weight class and lost by decision (1-6) The dual went on to the 120-lbs weight class where Brian Foundoulis lost by pin, bringing the team score to 35-33. Kevin Meyer was the final match at 126-lbs, where he had to defeat his opponent in order for Fossil to win the dual. He ended the night winning by decision (8-2) and brought in a win for the Sabercats with the final team scores of 38-33.  

Fossil feels more confident as they continue approaching regionals and the state tournament which will both be held early next month. Wish a wrestler good luck as they close out their season.