The Bentonville Tigers wrestling team was missing four from its starting lineup last weekend, but still managed a solid third-place finish in the 50th annual Seneca (Mo.) Tournament.
The Tigers finished with 288.5 points, well behind Seneca’s 390.5. But Bentonville was by far the top Arkansas team, followed by Fayetteville in ninth (216 points), Rogers High, 10th (214.5), Rogers Heritage, 12th (192) and Springdale High, 13th (95).
Jeff Bizzle was Bentonville’s lone champion, winning at 132 pounds. He improved to 37-3 for the season, going 8-0 with a second-period victory by fall in the finals.
The Tigers had four others wrestlers place in the top three. Jared Conover was second at 285, losing to Fayetteville’s Austin Hubble for the second consecutive week in multiple overtimes in the finals.
Drew Schuler also finished second at 160, while Kyson Larsen (182) and Xavier Domineack (195) both took third.
Besides Hubble, Justin Moore of Rogers High was the only other area wrestler to win at Seneca.
Moore went 6-0 in the tournament, including a 4-2 win in the finals. Hubble improved to 29-1.
Other area wrestlers who placed among the top three in their weight class were: Sam Goll of Fayetteville, third at 170; Gaven Long of Rogers Heritage, second at 113; Logan Evans of Rogers Heritage, second at 138; Edwin Santos of Rogers High, second at 182 and Jose Sandoval of Rogers High, third at 106.
Saints Start Wrestling Program
Shiloh Christian may not have enough wrestlers to field a dual team, but coach Jerry Hanlin said the Saints are off to a good start.
Shiloh Christian has just six wrestlers, but the individuals have had some success.
Freshman C.J. Bottorff finished second in the 132-pound weight class at the Pioneer Holiday Classic before Christmas in Gentry. Jeremy Rogers finished third at 195 in the same tournament. Bottorff also won a junior varsity tournament at Springfield (Mo.) Kickapoo.
The Saints have one other wrestler who is ineligible because he is sitting out a year after transferring, while two other eighth-graders also practice with the team.
That gives Hanlin hope for the future since all of those wrestlers will return next season. But he’s still looking for more. Shiloh Christian is one of five schools to start wrestling programs in Arkansas this year.
The Saints had a couple of wrestlers compete when the sport was not yet sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association, Hanlin said. But he decided in late October of this year to formally declare the program with the AAA.
He’s also started a youth wrestling club to get elementary school students interested in the sport.
“We’ve got somewhere between 12 and 15 kids out for practice twice a week,” Hanlin said.
This is the fifth year the AAA has sanctioned a state championship for wrestling.
Har-Ber Takes Fourth at Conway
Springdale Har-Ber traveled to Central Arkansas and after a strong first day ended up fourth at a tournament held in Conway.
The Wildcats, who are the defending Class 6A-7A state champions, were in first place after the opening day of the two-day event.
Little Rock Catholic won the tournament, followed by Conway, Cabot and then Har-Ber.
Nick Smith (195 pounds) and Ty Harrison (285) both won their respective weight classes. Kimble Jennings finished second at 106, while Edgar Ruiz was third at 220.
Prep Wrestling Results
Rogers High 47, Rogers Heritage 27
106: Jose Sandoval, Rog., won by forfeit.
113: Gaven Long, Hert., won by forfeit.
120: Caleb Royal, Hert., def. Roy Sandoval by pinfall, 0:57.
126: Raul Rodriguez, Rog., def. George Hill by pinfinall, 5:56.
132: Heath Henman, Rog., def. Tyler Leis by pinfall, 1:45.
138: Logan Evans, Hert., def. Anthony Kidd by pinfall, 2:31.
145: Justin Moore, Rog., def. Jeremy Hill by pinfall, 3:58.
152: Nick Mulcahy, Rog., def. Shae Chafin by major decision 18-4.
160: Austin Rodriguez, Rog., def. Brett Greenwald, 10-8.
170: Josh Lee, Rog., def. Jeramee Stansberry by pinfall, 1:53.
182: Edwin Santos, Rog., def. Damian Gonzalez by major decision 20-9.
195: Cole Penny, Hert., def. Juan Balderas, 3-0.
220: Gio Soto, Rog., def. Michael Oyler by pinfall, 3:57.
285: Issac Terrell, Hert. def. Josue Oscoy by pinfall, 3:24.
Rogers High 46, Webb City, Mo. 36
106: Jose Sandoval, Rog., won by forfeit.
113: Corey Lang, Webb, won by forfeit.
120: Eric Holden, Webb, def. Roy Sandoval by pinfall, 3:49.
126: Raul Rodriguez, Rog., def. Dominick Howard by pinfall, 2:53.
132: Heath Henman, Rog., def. Austin Thomas by major decision, 16-6.
138: Christian Weaver, Webb, def. Anothony Kidd by pinfall, 0:26.
145: Justin Moore, Rog., def. Sam Robertson by major decision, 12-4.
152: Nick Mulcahy, Rog., def. Chantney Tilder by pinfall, 3:48.
160: Brayden Goff, Webb, def. Austin Rodriguez by pinfall, 3:31.
170: Alex Lane, Webb, def. Josh Lee by pinfall, 3:32.
182: Edwin Santos, Rog., def. Hunter Rhea by pinfall, 2:46.
195: Juan Balderas, Rog., def. Logan Sperry by pinfall, 3:21.
220: Gio Soto, Rog., def. Tanner Gary by pinfall, 1:35.
285: Tony Carranco, Webb, de. Josue Oscoy by pinfall, 1:09.
Rogers Heritage 48, Webb City, Mo. 29
106: Double forfeit.
113:Gaven Long, Hert., def. Corey Lang by pinfall, 0:46.
120: Caleb Royal, Hert., def. Eric Holden by pinfall, 3:00.
126:Dominick Howard, Webb, def. George Hill by pinfall, 0:33.
132: Austin Thomas, Webb, def. Tyler Leis by pinfall, 3:00.
138: Logan Evans, Hert., def. Christian Weaver by pinfall, 1:50.
145: Jeremy Hill, Hert., def. Samuel Robertson by injury default.
152: Shae Chafin, Hert., def. Chantry Tilden, Webb, by pinfall, 1:42.
160: Brayden Goff, Webb, def. Brett Grunewald by pinfall, 0:30.
170: Alex Lane, Webb, def. Jeramee Stansberry by pinfall, 3:59.
182: Damian Gonzalez, Hert., def. Hunter Rhea by pinfall, 2:45.
195: Cole Peny, Hert., def. Logan Sperry by pinfall, 1:50.
220: Michael Oyler, Hert., def. Tanner Gary by pinfall, 2:24.
285: Dalton Ford, Webb. def. Isaac Terrell by pinfall, 1:22.