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NWC Goes -2 In Three Weekend Matches
The Northwest College wrestling team is now 3-4 in duals this winter after a 1-2 performance over the weekend.
The Trappers finished out the first half of their season with a victory over Southwest Oregon Community College, and NWC head coach Jim Zeigler, who has been critical of his team in recent weeks, gave the Trappers a healthy dose of praise.
“I think the kids in general really competed hard this weekend,” Zeigler said. “They seem to be wrestling harder ... a little more focused, a little more gaining from some of those early growing pains.
“I’ve been pretty hard on them over the last month, pretty demanding ... but I think they responded nicely on this trip,” he said.
NWC’s visit to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, started with a battle against North Idaho College on Friday. The Trappers were defeated 28-13, but Zeigler said that a tough upset endured by 197-pounder Jon Wixom hurt NWC’s chances, and a forfeit at 184 pounds didn’t help.
On the plus side, redshirt freshman Matt Schmidt (133 pounds) earned a 12-2 major decision over NIC’s Tyler Hardy, while Jeff Mc-Cormick continued his season tear at 149 pounds with an 8-2 decision over Tyler Booth. Jacob Beck (174) also picked up a win with a fall in 4:12. McCormick and Beck each went 3-0 over the weekend.
“Jeff had a fantasticweekend. He looks really sharp,” Zeigler said. “And I think some of the other kids are taking note of his daily habits ... of how he approaches his day, how he does his diet, how he manages his time, how he is as a student ... how he does things that produce success for him.
“And Jacob Beck, he wrestled really well too ... it was a good weekend for him and something I think he really needed to propel him into the second half of the season.”
The Trappers stayed in Idaho Saturday for two duals, beginning with Clackamas Community College, which downed the Trappers 31-8.
Wixom may have earned the win of the day, and possibly the biggest of his early sophomore campaign, especially after his upset loss Friday. Wixom pinned Ihoghama Odighizuwa, who came into Saturday ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA. Wixom earned a pin of Odighizuwa in 4:40, and as of Monday, is now the top dog at 197. Mc- Cormick and Beck also earned pins against the Cougars.
NWC had to overcome a 16-0 deficit later in the day Saturday, and did so to Southwest Oregon 28-22. McCormick started the rally with a 9-0 major decision, freshman Mathew Widdicomb (a 157-pounder from Powell) earned a 6-2 victory, Kaelen Loveless picked up a first-period pin and Beck downed his opponent 3-1 to tie the match.
But after the final three bouts were forfeits, one for SOCC and two for NWC, the Trappers left Idaho with the win.
“It was a good weekend,” Zeigler added. “Now the kids get a much needed break where they can redirect their focus and get their minds and bodies right. I’m looking forward to seeing how the kids respond when they come back, and hopefully they’ll be chomping at the bit.”