The boys and girls Varsity wrestling teams competed Saturday at the inaugural Sharyl Pedersen Maverick Invitational held at Madison High School. The tournament pays homage to a woman who in tandem with her husband Russ Pederson are considered the godparents of wrestling in the NEISD school system. Sharyl was in attendance and it was a moving moment when she was honored at center mat with the Madison wrestlers and many returning alumni. The boys finished first out of a field of thirty-one tough teams from across the Region Four area. Almost every wrestler scored points but the team was powered by six Top-3 performances, and four Top-6 performances.
Jr Max Pechmann(113) won first in a dramatic ultimate tie-breaker (meaning triple OT) fashion after cruising to the finals match winning by pin, Major Decision (10-0), and decision (4-0).
Sr Bryce Whitethorn (126) won first in a hard fought 6-4 match. He secured his finals spot with 2 pins and a major decision win (9-0).
Jr Grant Schneiders (144) handily won first by Major Decision (12-2) after getting to the finals with a Tech Fall (15-0), and two pins.
Sr Connor O’Brien placed 2nd, narrowly losing the finals match in a gritty 2-3 score. He reached the finals match with a pin, major decision (9-1), and a dramatic last period reversal 2-0.
Sr Ben Taylor (120)placed 2nd, falling to a very good Cedar Park opponent. He too wrestled well to get to the finals winning by pin, and two Major Decisions (11-0, and 13-2).
Jr Bryson Bjorkman (165) in his first varsity tournament appearance won 3rd with a 6-4 decision. After winning with pin and decision (6-3) he battled back up the consolation bracket after dropping his semifinals match winning the consolation semis 6-3, scoring 4 points in the last period.
So Caedmon Garcia (285) placed 4th. After winning his first two matches with pins he had to work his way into the consolation finals after dropping the semifinals match. He was able to grind out a 7-4 consolation semi win again securing the win int he last period.
Sr Noah Hyslop (175) placed 6th, battling up the consolation bracket with two straight pins after a semifinals loss.
Jr Luke Hall (157) placed 6th, battling up the consolation bracket. After winning his first 2 matches by tech fall (17-2) and literal last second escape win (5-4) he dropped his semi-final match.
So Sebastian Rangel placed 6th battling up the consolation bracket all the way from a quarterfinal loss with 3 straight pins.
An injury depleted girls team still secured a top 10 finish placing 8th. they were powered by 2 Top-3 performances
So Mekyela Garcia (152) won 3rd. After dropping her first round match she powered her way into 3rd place with 5straight wins (pin, pin, pin, and Dec 10-6, and Dec 11-9 ).
So Hannah Dunn won 3rd with a pin. After winning her first round, she dropped her quarterfinals match and battled into 3rd with 3 straight wins (pin, pin, and forfeit)
This was the last tournament of the season before Districts. Next up is the last dual of the season on Thursday Jan 24 versus Steele where we will be honoring our seniors on the team. See you on the mat!