Tiger matmen beat Jerome but fall to Vallivue

The Mountain Home Tigers continued to struggle on the mats last week, coming from behind to beat Jerome, and dropping their final regular season dual match to Vallivue.

Mountain Home 43

Jerome 33

The Mountain Home Tigers battled back from a 24-0 deficit to win at home last Tuesday night against a tough Jerome Tigers squad.

The match started at the 189-pound weight class, and with Anthony Johnson, Charles Davidson (215 pounds), Robert Weed (275) and Brandon Stempfley (103) all losing by pins, the Tigers were quickly down 24-0 after four matches.

Kyle Hickerson got the Tigers on the scoreboard with a 44-second first-round pin at 112 pounds.

David Wise (119 pounds) remained unbeaten, scoring a 20-8 major decision over his Jerome opponent. A.J. Hutchison (125), Mike Ramsey (130) and Garrett Wells (135) followed with pins to put Mountain Home ahead 28-24.

James Greenfield won by technical fall (19-4) at 140 pounds, and Chris Hathaway pinned his 145-pound Jerome opponent to put the Tigers up 39-24.

Brennen Lawson was pinned in the third round as the score went to 39-30. Kori Andrews (160) scored a 12-4 major decision to put the Tigers up 43-30. Tyson Sessions lost a tough 4-0 decision to close out the night, and Mountain Home won 43-33.

"We got down 124-0 after our first four matches, and I had no idea what was going on," said Mountain Home Tiger wrestling coach Lynn Knudson. "I know we've been struggling the last few times we've wrestled, and it was the same this time.

"We've been struggling trying to overcome some of our problems that we've had on the mats not thinking about what we're doing right or about what we're doing wrong, but anyway, we came through with some big wins. We needed pins after that, and some of the kids stepped up and did the job they needed to do to pull that out.

"Jerome's not a bad team at all, and they're a young team -- they've only got two seniors -- so they will be good, tough competition for us next year."

Vallivue 42

Mountain Home 33

The Tigers were hoping to close out the regular season with a conference win over Vallivue Friday night in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium, but the Falcons had other ideas, and spoiled the Tigers' Senior Night celebration, handing Mountain Home its second conference dual loss of the season.

The Tigers had just six wins against Vallivue, four pins, a forfeit and a major decision.

James Greenfield had the fastest pin of the night, taking just 21 seconds to pin his 135-pound opponent in the first round.

Kyle Hickerson (112 pounds) and Charles Davidson (215) also had first-round pins, and Garrett Wells (145) had a third-round pin.

David Wise won by forfeit at 119 pounds, and Mike Ramsey won a 9-3 major decision at 130 pounds.

Brandon Stempfley (103 pounds), A.J. Hutchison (125), Brennen Lawson (152) Anthony Johnson (189) and Corey Baum (275) all lost by pins. Tyson Sessions (160) lost by technical fall (16-1) and Chris Hathaway dropped a close 4-2 decision at 140 pounds.

The Tigers enter the two-day District III 4A Wrestling Tournament at Vallivue Friday. Coach Knudson encouraged the Tiger fans to come cheer them on.

"We'd encourage the fans to come on out and cheer us on. Hopefully, we'll be bringing home back-to-back district championships."

The Tigers will take 15 wrestlers seeded in the top six, including three number one seeds -- unbeaten David Wise at 112 pounds, Mike Ramsey at 130, and Kole Spaulding at 171.

Number two seeds heading to district include James Greenfield (135 pounds), Chris Hathaway (140) and Charles Davidson (215). Number three seeds include Kyle Hickerson (112), A.J. Hutchison (125) and Kori Andrews (152).

Number four seeds are Brandon Stempfley (103) and Marcos Ortiz (119). Mountain Home's number-five seeds include Garrett Wells (135), Tyson Sessions (160) and Corey Baum at heavyweight. Tiger heavyweight Robert Weed is Mountain Home's lone number six seed.

The top six finishes in each weight class will advance to next week's state Wrestling Championships at ISU's Holt Arena in Pocatello, Feb. 26-28.