Saxon Grapplers Excel In Tourneys Ferris Wrestles To Second Place In Rocky Mountain Classic

Ferris wrestling coach Tim Owen thought the Saxons would be a better dual meet team than tournament team.

He was wrong.

“We haven’t reached our expectations in duals and have exceeded our expectations in tournaments,” said Owen.

Right after the New Year, the Saxons won the Pacific Northwest Classic at University High.

“My guess is that was the first time Ferris ever won a tournament of that caliber,” said Owen.

Last weekend, at the Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula, the Saxons placed second.

“We maybe even wrestled better there, even though we were second,” said the coach.

Incredibly, Ferris entered this week with just a 3-3 Greater Spokane League record behind five other schools. A couple of wrestlers typify the kind of year it has been.

University High topped the Saxons Jan. 14 when previously unbeaten Ryan Ellis was upset in overtime at 122 pounds.

It was one of three matches that Saxons wrestlers led into the final minute but lost. Two were by pin.

Ellis then proceeded to win the Rocky Mountain Classic in a weight class that included three state champions. He beat one in the semifinals and another 5-3 for the title.

A second Ferris wrestler, state-placer Zack Moffatt, has gone just 2-4 in the GSL, losing by pin against U-Hi after leading with 30 seconds left, but he has reached the finals of two tournaments.

“That’s the kinds of things that have been happening in dual meets,” said Owen. “We could just as easily be undefeated in duals as have three losses.”

During last weekend’s meet in Missoula, Aaron Sedler also reached the finals, placing second at 275 pounds.

“For a sophomore without a whole lot of credentials to do that was big for us,” said Owen.

“Also big were the consolation semifinals, where we won six of six to push into the matches for third and fourth. We made the big leap into first place after that round.”

Jack Claros at 98 pounds and Tyson Devin at 160 finished third. Moffatt at 145, Joe Claros at 105, Ty Williams at 171 and Chad Cluever at 189 placed fourth.

“Devin has been the biggest diamond in the rough,” said Owen. “He has not wrestled since eighth grade and will probably set a school record for pins.”

So what if this year’s GSL season has been somewhat disappointing? Ferris’s tournament success has made up for it.

And, warned Owen, it could continue when the state qualifying journey begins in February.

, DataTimes