SHS grapplers double-up Bridgeport

It didn’t take long Thursday night for the Sidney High School wrestling team to wrap up a successful senior night by clipping Bridgeport 48-24 at Cabela’s Athletic Facility.

The Bulldogs brought just six varsity entries, and of 14 weight classes, only five bouts were held.

Mix in two weight classes (106 and 113 pounds) that weren’t contested and a Sidney forfeit at 120, and SHS owned a 36-6 lead before the first whistle was blown.

While all the the forfeits meant wins for his wrestlers and points toward winning the match, Red Raiders coach John Ganser said he would have rather seen his athletes get a chance to compete.

“You really want to see more (bouts) when you have senior night,” Ganser said.

Essentially, all SHS had to do once the first of five contested bouts began was to avoid getting pinned in one of them. But the drama carried for a bit when Bridgeport got a pin at 126 pounds when Dylan Schafer pinned Sidney’s Zach Borges midway through the first period.

However, junior Michael Muggli ensured victory when he stuck the Bulldogs’ Todd Widener with just a shade more than a minute remaining in the opening period.

Muggli, a state qualifier from a year ago, drew praise once more from his coach.

“Muggli has been solid all season,” Ganser said.

Only one of the five bouts spilled into the third period, that being at 138, where Raiders senior Nathaniel Votruba battled Bridgeport’s Wes Christensen before being pinned.

Sidney’s final win came in the final bout at 152 pounds, when junior Tanner Wernsman pinned Lawrence Schneider in the second period.

“Tanner Wernsman is getting better all the time,” Ganser said. “He has really improved.”

Those Raiders making weight and earning forfeits were Ryan Wooley (160 pounds), Kane Taylor (170), Brandon Lulf (182), Tanner Wintholz (195), Scott Kelsey (220) and Tucker Wintholz (heavyweight).

Two junior varsity bouts were held, and Sidney split those. Cassy Ross (126) fell in a third-period pin and Lane Riley stuck his foe at 145 pounds.

Sidney’s next action is Saturday, when the varsity travels to Imperial to participate in the Chase County Invitational, with wrestling beginning at 9 a.m.

Varsity

Sidney 48 Bridgeport 24

(Sidney wrestler listed first, in order of bouts)

126 — Zach Borges was pinned by Dylan Schafer, 1:29

132 — Michael Muggli pinned Todd Widener, 1:52

138 — Nathaniel Votruba was pinned by Wes Christensen, 5:09

145 — Lukias Higer was pinned by Brandon Nichols, 3:03

152— Tanner Wernsman pinned Lawrence Schneider, 3:19

160 — Ryan Wooley won by forfeit

170 — Kane Taylor won by forfeit

182 — Brandon Lulf won by forfeit

195 — Tanner Wintholz won by forfeit

220 — Scott Kelsey won by forfeit

Heavy — Tucker Wintholz won by forfeit

106 — No bout

113— No bout

120 — Sidney forfeited to Dakota Swires

Junior varsity results

126 — Cassy Ross was pinned by Payton Bauman, 4:20

145 — Lane Riley pinned Troy Isom, :48