Your future, our focus
NWC Picks up 25-21 Win
BY RANDAL HOROBIK
Tribune Sports Editor
The seventh-ranked Northwest College wrestling team capitalized on a pair of open weight classes to score a 25-21 victory over the University of Great Falls in wrestling dual action. The event was Northwest’s final home dual prior to the Apodaca Duals later this month.
“Overall, I didn’t think it was a very good performance,” Trapper coach Jim Zeigler said. “There were some disappointments.”
After both teams were vacant at the 125-pound weight class, Jesse Hillhouse, recently promoted to the nation’s top-ranked wrestler at 133, wasted little time in registering a victory by fall. Great Falls countered with a decision win against Josh Bundschuh at 141.
“Josh wrestled his first match of the year and found out it was a little more difficult than he anticipated,” Zeigler said. “He thought he was ready to go after fighting injury last semester, but I think he thought he was more ready to go than he was.”
The Trappers’ Bobby Robbins fell behind early in his match at 149 pounds, but rallied for a 10-8 decision victory. The sophomore’s tenacity in the match drew one of the few favorable reviews afterward from Zeigler.
“He showed a lot of guts by battling back for that win,” Zeigler said. “He’s been picking it up and looking better and better. I’m really pleased.”
After a UGF win over Zach Oppenheimer at 157, Keithen Cast sandwiched a one-sided victory between forfeit wins at 165 and 184 for the Trappers. The vacant weight at 184 prevented Northwest’s other top-ranked wrestler in the latest rankings, sophomore Nick Petersen, from being able to compete on the mat.
Great Falls closed out the dual with wins at 197 and 285. Ben Price and Brooks Bowthorpe, respectively, took the losses for Northwest.
“Ben looked a little sluggish tonight, but he’s been pretty consistent in getting better all year,” said Zeigler. “Brooks really wanted the opportunity to wrestle at home this season, so we sent him out there at 285. I think he probably got a bit more than he bargained for there.”
Perhaps the most impressive match of the night was turned in by Trapper freshman Marc Madsen in an exhibition match to lead off the evening. Madsen made quick work of UGF’s Ryan Major, winning by fall in a match that did not count toward the team score.
“Marc looked great,” Zeigler said. “He’s a kid we’d love to get in our lineup, but unfortunately he’s sitting behind the No. 1 kid in the nation at 133. He’s too big to use at 125 and he’s kind of a small kid to go at 141, but it would be great if we could find a place for him.”
The Trappers return to action this Thursday at Montana State University-Northern. The team also faces a return dual at the University of Great Falls on Friday.
“We want to keep working and trying to get better,” Zeigler said. “Hopefully, we can show what our final lineup for the year will be by the time we get to the Apodacas.”