KNAPPA – It was good news and bad news for Ilwaco wrestlers as they traveled to Knappa Wednesday to take on the Loggers and Warrenton in a tri-match. Two Fishermen mat men pinned opponents and two others defeated their foes on points.

The bad news, however, was that standout Jerry Matzen, after pinning his first adversary in 3:02, appeared to have injured his arm during a fall and may not be able to wrestle until January according to coach Tom Hornbuckle. Under the heading of more bad news, heavyweight Bobby Crislip was not feeling well and unable to make the trip.

Now back to the good news. Besides Matzen’s victory against Warrenton’s Pike at the 125-pound weight, Isaac Mendez pinned Robertson from Knappa in 2:57 at the 160-pound classification. Derek Duffy, wrestling at 135 pounds, decisioned Richardson from Knappa in a very close match that was up for grabs right to the final buzzer, 13-10.

Matt Bonney defeated Owings of Knappa 7-2 in a defensive struggle to register Ilwaco’s fourth victory of the meet. Ray Coulston at 215 pounds was pinned by Knappa’s Hughes and Sean Brady at 160 pounds suffered the same fate at the hands of the Logger’s Barnes in 1:21.

Jake Pederson in the heavyweight division pulled a muscle earlier in the week and was not able to compete. Freshman, David Alvarez won’t be able to wrestle until the new year due to cracked ribs sustained in practice according to the coach.

Hornbuckle was philosophical after his string of bad luck, and said, “After the first of the year we will hopefully be at full strength. Right now the guys who are healthy are doing their best.”

Derek Duffy wins 125-lb. championship

LACENTER – Derek Duffy won the 125-pound championship and Bobby Crislip secured fourth place at the 275-pound weight classification in the nine-school LaCenter Wrestling Tournament Saturday. The Fishermen had only four healthy wrestlers competing in the tournament, so did not place as a team, according to coach Tom Hornbuckle.

Duffy won the 125-pound championship in impressive fashion, pinning LaCenter’s Josh Martinez at 4:21. He also pinned Andrue Riley of Wahkiakum at 3:19 and Lucas Enos of Hudson’s Bay at 4:27. Bobby Crislip, wrestling at 275 pounds, placed fourth with pins over David Snyder of LaCenter (2:26) and Kris Falding of Fort Vancouver (0:48), before dropping his final two matches.

Ray Coulston scored a pin over Nathan Cress of Wahkiakum in the 215-pound weight division and Isaac Mendez, wrestling up a weight class at 160 pounds was unable to earn a victory. LaCenter won their own tournament against squads from Onalaska, Hudson’s Bay, Wahkiakum, Fort Vancouver, Eatonville, Woodland, Mark Mason, and Ilwaco.