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Tigers notch runner-up finish at Grandview Dual Tournament
It was an impressive showing for the Nevada High School wrestling team, as the Tigers collected a runner-up finish in their five-team pool at the 10-school Grandview Dual Tournament on Saturday.
Nevada went 4-1 on the day, with its victories coming against Shawnee Mission East (51-16), K.C. Center (52-16), Smith-Cotton H.S. (48-36), and Fatima H.S. (42-34). Nevada’s lone loss came against powerhouse Bolivar, with the Tigers falling, 63-9.
Nevada placed runner-up to Cameron in the blue pool, while Bolivar placed first in the gold pool, and Fatima second.
“The guys wrestled well today,” said Nevada head coach David Hawks. “Dual tournaments are fun to compete in, because it makes the team stronger and closer. Every guy on the bench is watching and cheering every time their teammates step on the mat.
Finishing perfect for Nevada, were heavyweight Caleb Longobardi (5-0), and J.D. Downing at l06 pounds (2-0). Additionally, Nevada’s Brock Marquardt and Spencer Hawkins collected four wins apiece.
“In a dual tournament, it is important to not get pinned, and to get pins when we have our opponent on their back,” explained Hawks. “I thought we did a good job at continuing to wrestle hard. Even in matches where we were losing, several times we were able to save team points because we only lost by four instead of eight. It can be easy to get discouraged when you’re down in a match, but we worked hard to not give up extra team points.”
Added Hawks: “Overall, this was probably our best day of wrestling as a team so far this season. We had every guy on the bench pulling for their teammates, because they knew how important every point could be in the team standings. It’s fun as a coach to see teammates cheering each other on. There we several times an individual took a tough loss, but right after their match, they were focusing on their teammate and cheering them to a win.”
Nevada High School results
• Ethan Dighero (106) 3-2, J.D. Downing (106) 2-0, Lane Brooks (113) 3-2, Vasant Goswami (120) 3-2, Asa Wilson (132) 2-3, Corbin Eastwood (138) 1-4, Kalen Morris (145) 2-3, Brock Marquardt (152) 4-1, Gauge Boyd (160) 3-2, Gage Morris (170) 2-3, Spencer Hawkins (182) 4-1, Logan Smith (182) 2-2, and Caleb Longobardi (285) 5-0.
“I thought that Kalen Morris and Corbin Eastwood wrestled (well) all day,” noted Hawks. “The individual result wasn’t what they wanted, but they saved several team points throughout the day.
Summed up Hawks of his squad’s terrific performance: “Spencer Hawkins and Brock Marquardt had good days (as well). Caleb Longobardi continued his successful season, (improving) to 36-3. And Ethan Dighero continued a good freshman campaign, upping his record to 24-14.”
UP NEXT
The Tigers returned to the mat Tuesday for a double dual with host Carl Junction H.S. and Columbus (Kan.)
Nevada is then set to tussle with Warsaw on Friday, and concludes its busy week on Saturday, with the Tigers set to compete at the 10-school Richmond High School Tournament.