Nevada Tigers wrestling team kicks season off with a win

Nevada's Austen Payne gave Butler's Grady Grainger all he could handle during the match-up of 130 lb. wrestlers Tuesday night at Wynn Gymnasium. Grainger, who placed fourth in the state championships in 2007 eked out a 12-10 win over Payne during the six minute match.

"It looked like he could win at one point," an obviously pleased Nevada Wrestling Coach, Kevin Huck said, after the Tigers beat the Butler Bears 45-29 in Nevada's opening meet of the season.

The Tigers won nine of their 24 matches including pins by freshman Spencer Scotten at 103 lb., Dominic Habjan at 112 lb., Josh Palmer at 152 lb. and Ryan Herda at 215 lb.

Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail-- Nevada's Austen Payne stands up trying to get Butler's Grady Grainger off his back during the Tigers meet with the Butler Bears Tuesday night.

"I'm very happy to see some inexperienced kids step up and wrestle at a higher level than they have done before," Huck, Nevada's head wrestling coach said.

We always knew that Spencer Scotten would be the one to wrestle at 103 lb., Huck said of Scotten's pin against Butler's Dustin Laughlin at 2:02 in the first period of their match.

"It's very hard to step into a varsity line-up as a freshman. This win should give him a lot of confidence," he said.

Four of Nevada's experienced wrestlers, who Huck expected to do well, did not have opponents, winning by default.

"It's good to get the first duel meet done and see where we're at," he said.

Huck said that his wrestlers are still making too many mental mistakes that cost them matches and conditioning is still a factor.

He said that they would be working on these elements the rest of the week to get ready for a tournament Dec. 1 in Pleasant Hill.

Nevada's next home match will be Dec. 4 with the Clinton Cardinals. After Tuesday the Tigers will be on the road until they host the McDonald County Mustangs on Jan. 15.

Spencer Scotten pinned Butler's Dustin Laughlin at 103 lb.; Dominic Habjan beat Butler's Adam Haney 10-9 at 112 lb.; Mason Heard, open, at 119 lb.; Trey Miller beat Butler's Diehl 11-10, at 125 lb.; Todd Brier lost to Butler's Cody Bennett, 10-12 at 135 1b.; Stephen Palmer lost to Butler's Derek Varns 9-12 at 140 lb.,; Austin Denning lost to Butler's Steven Mills, 9-12 at 145 lb.; Josh Palmer pinned Butler's Clayton Stevenson at 152 lb.; Cole Bond, open at 160 lb.; Tyler Werner lost to Butler's Tim Simms, 10-12 at 171 lb.; Lawrence Shouse beat Butler's Dan Diehl, 12-11 at 189 lb.; Ryan Herda pinned Butler's Brandon Mason at 215 lb., and Jerrod Alexander, open, at heavyweight.