Heading into Montana for the final competitions of the first semester the Northwest College wrestling team finished strong, earning five top-three finishes and 11 placers overall at the Battle of the Rockies Open, while also competing at the Battle of the Rockies Duals on Friday.

BATTLE OF THE ROCKIES OPEN

Competing in Great Falls, the Trappers competed against two other junior college teams in North Idaho College and Snow College, NAIA schools Montana State University-Northern and host University of Providence as well as the MSU Wrestling Club.

The Trappers had a finalist in Kaiden Rubash, who advanced to the final at 141 pounds via a pin in the quarterfinal and a 20-3 tech fall in the semifinal before falling via a 19-7 major decision in the first place match.

Zachary Covolo was one of four Trappers who placed third at 133 pounds, as he finished 3-1 on the weekend, recording two pins and a tech fall but falling via an 11-1 major decision in the semifinal.

Jack Lounsbury finished 2-1, bouncing back from a quarterfinal loss and winning two straight via a 20-4 tech fall and a pin in the third place match at 157 pounds.

Asad Fayzullaev finished 3-1, winning with an 11-2 major decision in the quarterfinals before a close 9-5 loss in the semifinal, bouncing back with a pin in the consolation semifinals and a 19-2 tech fall in the 165 pound third place match.

The final third place Trapper finisher was Jesse Thornton at 174 pounds, pinning his opponent in his first match before falling via pin in the quarterfinals. He pinned two straight opponents in the consolation rounds before advancing on two straight medical forfeits in the consolation semifinals and third place match.

Jett Swain finished fourth for Northwest, falling via pin late in his quarterfinal match, before two quick pins earned him a spot in the third place match before he fell via pin to finish fourth at 285 pounds.

Jackie Meador placed fifth at 125 pounds (1-2), placing just ahead of teammate Adrian Trujillo (0-2) who finished sixth after a medical forfeit in their fifth place match.

Robby Ortega finished sixth at 184 pounds (0-3), Dustin Rhoades placed seventh at 174 pounds (3-2), Race Moxley placed eighth at 174 pounds (1-3) and Sunny Espinoza did not place at 141 pounds (0-2).

“The kids wrestled great,” coach Jim Zeigler said.

BATTLE OF THE ROCKIES

Prior to the tournament the Trappers competed in the Battle of the Rockies Duals on Friday, taking on MSU-Northern in their lone dual.

The Northern Lights took the lead first, when Meador lost via tech fall 19-2 at 125 pounds to Kolten Powers.

Trujillo got Northwest on the board at 133 pounds via a forfeit, before Rubash made it 12-5 after a pin of Caleb Morales at 141 pounds.

A strong run gave MSU-Northern the lead back, as Espinoza fell via pin to Caeleb Ishmael and Lounsbury fell via an 8-2 decision at 157 pounds to Justin Windauer as the Northern Lights took a 14-12 lead.

The lead extended after Fayzullaev fell via an 8-5 decision to Travis Waldner, Rhoades fell via a pin to Orion Thivierge at 174 pounds, Easton Hopes fell via a pin at 184 pounds to Rylin Burns and the Trappers forfeited at 197 pounds to make it 35-12.

Swain finished the match with a pin of Gabe Walker at 285 pounds to make the final 35-18.

“I think we always learn something when we compete. I think the guys showed up, hustled hard and looked great,” Zeigler said.

WINTER BREAK

The Trappers will now take a break from competitions while finishing up the first semester before winter break.

“We’re going to keep doing the same thing. The kids are doing great, and I wanna keep doing the same thing we’re doing,” Zeigler said. 

Over the winter break, Zeigler said he hopes they continue training and maintaining their weight while enjoying family time before coming back for the next competitions beginning in January.

“Enjoy their family, come back in a good state of mind, pick up where we left off and keep rolling,” Zeigler said.

The Trappers’ first competition of the new year will be the NJCAA National Duals Jan. 10-11 in Miami, Oklahoma.