The young Battle Mountain Junior High School wrestling team traveled to Fernley on Saturday to take on nine teams from throughout the Tah-Neva League. After a long bus ride the Shorthorns hit the mats in full stride.
“We had these kids on the bus at five in the morning, that’s a lot to ask out of anyone, then to have them compete at a high level all day, that’s an impressive accomplishment,” said coach Mitch Domagala.
The eighth-grade team continued to set the pace for the Shorthorns, as a number of the team members placed in the top four to help the team to a second-place finish.
“Our eighth grader group is an experienced, athletic group. They know how to battle,” Domagala said.
Leading the charge were Stone Whitlock, Jose Guizar, and Lyle Whitten who all won the championship title in their weight classes.
Declan McClary, Vincent Rosas and Jorge Chavira added runner-up places, while Jordan Gonzalez, Isaiah Powell and Joey Huhta came home in third place.
The seventh-grade team finished in third place as a team.
“This group just works so hard, and they get better and better each week,” added the coach. “They are figuring out Junior High wrestling and will be contenders for the league title at season’s end.”
Hunter Natoli and Zach Duggan paced the group with first-place finishes. Sean Scherer, Jagger Whitlock, and Wiatt Kelly brought home silver medals in runner-up position.
Chris Leloup, Brice Domagala, Hunter Anderson and Michael Lovelace finished in third place, while Logan Youngblood brought home fourth place.
Adding to the team total were Andy Wall, Anthony Natoli, Hafen Smith, Drayden McClary, Deacon Kyllonen, Asher Bundrock, Nolan Chopp and Dalton Shake.
The Shorthorn wrestlers compete in Winnemucca this Saturday in the qualifier tournament for the Tah-Neva League Championships.
