Tigers win Treynor Invite
TREYNOR —The Red Oak wrestling team got a big boost to start their season by claiming the team title at the Treynor Tournament Saturday.
The Tigers finished with a team score of 189 points as three wrestlers claimed individual titles. Tanner Mertz (106-pounds), Caleb Orme (120-pounds) and Geoff Sellers (132-pounds) all took home first place and didn’t lose a match during the tournament.
“It was absolutely a team effort,” Red Oak Head Wrestling Coach Tiegan Podliska said. “We had 13 guys there and they all scored points.”
All the Red Oak wrestlers competing at the tournament finished in the top six.
Dakota Petty was the lone wrestler to finish second at the tournament for Red Oak, doing so in the 113-pound class.
Nick Leinen meanwhile was third in the 182-pound class, going 3-1 during the tournament.
The Tigers had three wrestlers bring home fourth place. Austin Hale (126-pounds), Austin Streicher (138-pounds) and Felipe Ramirez (220-pounds) all finished fourth at the tournament.
Streicher in particular is dealing with a broken hand and is wrestling in a cast.
“He placed fourth in the tournament as a one-armed wrestler. He can’t do anything with that hand he’s got no grip,” Podliska said about Streicher. “That’s a true testament to that kid.”
Four wrestlers finished fifth at the tournament, including Tanner Allensworth, who did so at 145-pounds. John Sands (170-pounds), Tyler Terry (195-pounds) and Mitch Hilder (285-pounds) also took home fifth.
Colin Bruce (152-pounds) finished sixth at the tournament.
“We’re going to show them that Seth’s not here, but we’re still a wrestling team and need to be respected,” Podliska said. “I feel like we gained their respect.”
The Tigers were at least 20 points ahead of Griswold and East Mills, both finishing second and third.
Thursday night, the Red Oak wrestling team was at the Middle School, hosting the home opener against Denison-Schleswig and Missouri Valley.
Red Oak defeated Denison-Schleswig 48-27, but lost to Missouri Valley 52-30.
Picking up the wins for Red Oak against Denison-Schleswig were Petty, who defeated Adrian Paz via pinfall at 1:35, as well as Sellers, who defeated Parker Preul by pinfall at 1:18.
Allensworth, Bruce, Terry and Ramirez also picked up pinfall wins against Denison-Schleswig. Allensworth defeated Jeffrey Jovel with two seconds left in the first period. Bruce went 43 seconds into the second period for his pinfall, but was able to get it against Saul Bravo.
Ramirez’s pinfall came against Preston Van Arsdol 55 seconds into the second period. Terry needed three periods, but was able to get the pinfall over Joe Thomsen with 19 seconds left in the match.
Leinen and Streicher both scored forfeit wins for Red Oak.
The Tigers will be back in action Thursday night when they’re home to face Harlan and Kuemper Catholic as part of a double-dual.
Friday night, the Tigers will be in Leon to compete in the Central Decatur Tournament.