Big Week For Bulldog Wrestlers
Author: Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter
Big Week For Bulldog Wrestlers Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter It was a big week for Bulldog Wrestling, and the team wrapped up their regular season on a high note with — not one, but two — home meets the Harry Hall Mixer and the Battle for the Copper Shamrock.
The Harry Hall Mixer came first on Thursday, Jan. 26 with Manhattan, Jefferson and Big Fork attending. Matches were fast-paced and often took place at the same time, but the Dawgs made sure to cheer their teammates on at every chance.
Terri Zharko was first to take the mat, earning a win by fall in the second round against Big Fork. Then came Parker Hunt.
Hunt faced a Manhattan wrestler and racked up point after point through the first two rounds. Right before the end of the second, Hunt nearly had his opponent pinned before the buzzer sounded and cut the move short.
In the third, Hunt fought tirelessly and had near-pin after near-pin. Hunt came out on top in the end and added to his team’s score.
Blake Wellenstein approached and Erik Humphreys both took to mats at the same time. Both Wellenstein and Humphreys made quick work of their matchups against Big Fork with pins in the first round.
Walker Spurlock then faced Big Fork himself. A quick takedown led to another pin and another win for the Dawgs. JR Harrell and Zharko were next to add a win to the scorebooks.
Hunt faced another Big Fork wrestler before the team moved on to face Manhattan. Pain from an injury earlier this season showed on Hunt's face as he battled through two rounds, getting pinned with just eight seconds left.
Wellenstein was the first of the Dawgs to wrestle the Manhattan Tigers, earning a pin. Humphreys followed with a pin of his own.
Cael O’Dell fell in his match versus the Tigers, and Humphreys earned a quick pin for himself.
Spurlock was the last of the Dawgs to wrestle, and he faced a valiant opponent: a Big Fork wrestler currently ranked third in the state.
Spurlock earned a takedown early in the first round but wasn’t able to secure the pin. In round two, Spurlock managed to get the pin and the whole gym erupted with cheers.
Jefferson had 18 wins, followed by Broadwater with 16, Big Fork with 11 and Manhattan with 4.
Copper Shamrock
The Battle for the Copper Shamrock, although the final event in the Dawg's regular season, had all the intensity and excitement of a homecoming game.
The event opened with the national anthem, but the pomp and circumstance didn’t stop there. Broadwater’s Head Wrestling Coach, John O’Dell, and Anaconda’s head coach then entered the gym dressed for the occasion and playing the bagpipes.
The Battle for the Copper Shamrock also hosted the team’s senior night festivities, and four seniors were recognized: “Cowboy” Cael O’Dell, “Scary” Terry Zharko, Walker “Texas Ranger” Spurlock and “Celtic Cowgirl” Lexi Howard.
Once the festivities wrapped up, the wrestling face-off began.
JR Harrell was first to take the mat. After several attempted grabs, the Anaconda wrestler earned a takedown and eventually the pin.
Next up was Zharko, with some bravado. Anaconda earned the first takedown, but in the second round, Zharko earned a takedown of his own. The gym was alive with vim right up until Anaconda earned the pin.
Anaconda led Broadwater 18-0.
Blake Wellenstein then prepared for his match and earned a takedown right off the bat. After traveling out of bounds several times, Anaconda earned a last-second escape. Enter round two, Anaconda earned a takedown. Wellenstein and his opponent alligator rolled fighting for control. Wellenstein got the flip and the pin, sending the gym into an uproar of excitement.
Wellenstein’s win put Broadwater down 6-18.
Hunt was quick to get his Anaconda opponent on the ground and racked up points through two rounds. However, in the end he didn’t need the points and earned a win for the Dawgs.
Next was Eric Humphreys. Despite his best efforts, Humphreys remained on the defensive side through three rounds. In the end, he avoided the pin, but lost points-wise.
Anaconda was then up 29-18.
Cael O’Dell approached the mat and earned a quick takedown for two points. Anaconda earned an escape, but in round two, Cael O’Dell used a cradle to pin his opponent.
As Walker Spurlock began his face-off, the gym lit up once again with excitement. Spectators began to yell his nickname “Lumpy” as he tussled with Anaconda, all the way up to his eventual win with points.
In the end, Anaconda came out on top — with the help of points earned from several open weight classes. Final: Dawgs 33, Anaconda 47, and the Copper Shamrock eluded Townsend for another year.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter
Image 1 Caption: Parker Hunt
Image 2 Caption: Walker Spurlock
Image 3 Caption: Sr. With Families at the Copper Shamrock
