Tiger wrestling team shows promise in season-opener
Opening the season at the Falcon Open at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS, the No. 7-ranked Cowley College wrestling team had some positive performances.
"We won a lot of matches while wrestling a bunch of four-year schools," Cowley head coach Justice Circle said. "We are on the right track."
The Tigers were led by freshman Jaxon Trotter, who went 5-0 and placed first in the 184-pound weight class.
"I was impressed with the way he started," Circle said.
Fellow freshman Louden Wolfe also fared well, going 5-1 and placing second at 133 pounds.
Sophomores AB Stokes (125 pounds) and Evan Rodriguez (141 pounds), both returning All-Americans, wrestled in the Elite Division and placed fourth by going 4-2. Both wrestlers are ranked third entering the season.
"It is hard to get a top-four finish in the Elite Division, so it was good for them to go get medals and see a high-level of competition," Circles said.
Wrestling at 174 pounds, sophomore Brannigan Reyes also placed fourth while going 4-2. Reyes is ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division 1.
Cowley will return to action on Saturday at 8 a.m. when they take part in the Maverick Open in Tonkawa, OK. The Tigers will then return home to face Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa in a dual on Wednesday, November 12, at 6 p.m.
"This Saturday will be good for us to get some more mat time before our home dual," Circle said. "We expect to have the same amount of success this weekend."
Cowley results:
*125 pounds – AB Stokes (CC) went 4-2 and placed fourth in the Elite Division.
*133 pounds – Louden Wolfe (CC) went 5-1 and placed second.
*141 pounds – Evan Rodriguez (CC) went 4-2 and placed fourth in the Elite Division.
*149 pounds – Ryker Agee (CC) went 3-2.
*157 pounds – Wrestled unattached.
*165 pounds – Wrestled unattached.
*174 pounds – Brannigan Reyes (CC) went 4-2 and placed fourth.
*184 pounds – Jaxon Trotter (CC) went 5-0 and placed first.
*197 pounds – Wrestled unattached.
*285 pounds – Ayden Benitez (CC) went 1-2.