Wrestlers from all over the United States met up in Reno last weekend for the Reno Tournament of Champions.
With competitors from Alaska, Pennsylvania, New York and most of the Western U.S. taking part, the Battle Mountain Longhorns were right in the middle of what has been dubbed “The Toughest Tournament in the USA.” “We’re always looking to increase the level of competition on our schedule,” said BMHS coach Mitch Domagala. “This tournament gave us a chance to try some new techniques out against some of the best wrestlers in the country.”
The Longhorns entered seven wrestlers in the tournament and finished with a winning record as a team. However the Longhorns wrestlers came up short of packing any hardware back to Battle Mountain.
“Our kids wrestled tough, they were aggressive the whole time,” Domagala said. “The biggest thing we got from this tournament was that we need to finish matches,” stated Domagala.
Bobby Kester and Cameron Thompson came the closest to making the medal rounds as both seniors advanced to the final round of the first day of competition. DeAndre Powell, Fabian Castaneda, Mason Chopp, Kris Hall and Tristin Cordingley also competed.
On Saturday, the Longhorn wrestling team traveled to Lovelock to participate in the Mustang Invitational. The tournament featured varsity teams from most of northern Nevada.
As the day concluded, several Longhorn wrestlers recorded victories helping Battle Mountain to a fifth-place finish in the 24-team field.
“These kids get better and better every time out, they still have things to learn, but they are headed in the right direction,” said coach Torrey Vezina.
Individual placing for the Longhorns were Thompson in second place, Michael Malone, Fabian Castaneda and Tristin Cordingley each came home with a bronze medal for their third-place finishes.
Also racking up points for the Longhorns were Declan McClary, Jose Guizar, Jordan Gonzalez, Kohl Bellm, DeAndre Powell, Daegan McClary, Mason Chopp, Tyler Rochester and Lyle Whitten.
The Longhorn wrestlers return to action on Thursday as they travel to Ely for the annual Ely Lions Invitational. Wrestling is scheduled to begin Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
