Eagles grapplers headed to state
By Jerry W. Kram
The New Town/Parshall Wrestling Coop sent just six competitors to the Region III Individual Wrestling Tournament in Minot. But five of those wrestlers did well enough to qualify for the state tournament. The top four wrestlers in each weight class earned a berth to the state tournament.
"It was a really productive tournament for our wrestlers," said Eagles wrestling coach Miles Andrews.
The team was led by Rode Vacu, who pinned Tyler Allers of Bishop Ryan in 2:55 to claim a regional championship title for the Eagles at 220 pounds.
"Bishop Ryan had just about every single one of their guys in the finals," Andrews said. "I had three different coaches come up to me and tell me Rode had to beat this guy. ‘We can’t have them all win,’ they said. So it was a pretty high energy match. The whole crowd was up on their feet."
At 160 pounds Zeb Demaray took second place, losing a 9-2 decision to Alex Giese of Kenmare Bowbells in the final.
"Zeb wrestled really well this weekend," Andrews said.
The Eagles had two fourth place finishers, Matt McClure at 120 pounds and Bronson Flynn at 285 pounds. Seven th Grader David Johnson took fifth place at 182 pounds but will get to compete in the state tournament because of an injury to another wrestler. Wesley Snow took sixth place at 152 pounds.
"I think Rode will do very well at state," Andrews said. "The others might find the whole atmosphere at state a little overwhelming. I think they’ll do well, but it will be their first time going to state."
