Bulldog Wrestling Wraps Up The Season
Author: Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter
Bulldog Wrestling Wraps Up The Season Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter A winner regardless of the scoreboard!
The 2022-23 Bulldog wrestling season is officially over, and Broadwater High’s Walker Spurlock carried the team name all the way to the Class B/C State tournament.
“Spurlock had [a] great season,” Assistant Wrestling Coach Mike Schnittgen said. “I know he won’t be satisfied with his results at state, but it’s not uncommon for athletes to be a little off their first time competing in the Metra.”
Despite being “a little off” at the state tournament, Spurlock’s opening match ended in success. Facing Levi Blood from Plains/Hot Springs, Spurlock’s first match started with a takedown by Blood, followed with a near fall for two points. In the second period, Spurlock took control with a takedown of his own. Spurlock finished the move with a pin and put another win under his season belt.
Up next was Fort Benton’s Nathan Dunham. Dunham was the first to score points with a takedown, from which Spurlock escaped and earned a takedown of his own. This put him ahead in points 3-1, but Dunham regained control with a reversal and need the match with a pin.
Now on the consolation side of the bracket, Spurlock faced Kaiden Dolan from Powell County-Deer Lodge. Dolan earned four points in the first period with a takedown and a near fall. In the second period, Spurlock responded with a takedown.
Dolan earned a reversal followed by three points for a near fall, before moving into the third period. A reversal from Spurlock brought the score to 3-9, but Dolan echoed it for some points of his own. As Broadwater’s sole dawg in the competition, Spurlock fought to hold his place but Dolan was able to claim the win by major decision.
Walker Spurlock joined the Dawgs his junior season, after playing on the basketball team in his freshman and sophomore years.
“For a kid that played basketball his first two years of high school, making it to the divisional championship and scoring team points at state was a pretty big accomplishment,” Schnittgen said. “It was a real pleasure to have Walker in the room these past two years.”
Schnittgen said Spurlock isn’t afraid to put in the work necessary and listens to coaching, adding that having him in the program his entire high school career would have benefitted everyone in the room.
“He was definitely a ‘lead by example’ type,” Schnittgen said.
While wrestlers vied for a place on the podium all season, they learned more while participating in the sport, according to Schnittgen.
“Some of the best building blocks for the future can come from the self-reflection and growth that occurs when that ultimate goal is not achieved,” he explained, adding that stepping up to the mat each time teaches responsibility, accountability and resiliency. “Because of that, to me, anyone that steps on the mat and is willing to give it their all is a winner regardless of the scoreboard.”
Dawg wrestling will return next winter, in the meantime, Bulldog athletes will begin the transition period into their spring season. Best of luck Bulldogs!
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter
Image 1 Caption: Broadwater Bull'dawg' Walker Spurlock prepares for the parade of teams at the Class B/C State tournament. Photo courtesy of Alexa O'Dell.
