Wrestlers struggle during season debut

The Mountain Home Tigers faltered in their conference opener, but the junior varsity squad retaliated three days later to win during a home tournament.

Bulldogs 71, Tigers 12

The Tigers gave up two forfeits and lost by pins in eight other matches as they lost their conference dual opener to the Nampa Bulldogs 71-12 last Wednesday night in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium in Mountain Home.

The Tigers' two wins came by pins by Ryan Goldsby at 152 pounds and Jon Ryan at 195 pounds.

DJ Hale lost a 6-1 decision at 145 pounds, and Austin Clark lost a 16-10 decision at 160 pounds.

Aerial Groene lost by technical fall (17-1) at 106 pounds and the Tigers dropped matches by pin at 113 (Justin Lisonbee), 120 (Jaime Ibarra), 132 (Nick Cruz), 138 (Tanner Sessions), 170 (Robert Jackio), 182 (Jeff Checketts), 220 (Soloman Chung-Hee), and 285 (Mike Gordon).

The Tigers also forfeited at 98 pounds and 126 pounds. Despite the loss, Tiger wrestling coach Lynn Knudson remained positive.

"It's a lack of experience and just learning how to toughen up a little bit, learn that, and I think we'll get there."

Gary Miles tourney results

Mountain Home hosted its annual Gary Miles Memorial Junior Varsity Tournament Saturday and ended up winning the event.

Mountain Home finished first with 187.5 points, two points ahead of Spring Creek, Nev. Jerome finished third.

The Tigers had four champions in the tourney. Justin Lisonbee won the 106-pound weight class, Tanner Sessions won the 132-pound weight class, Austin Lisonbee won at 138 and Charlie Shoemaker won at 145.

Second-place finishes went to Jaime Ibarra at 106, Brett Stempfly at 132 and Doug Calvert at 145.

Third-place finishers were Aerial Groene at 106-113, Levi Abrahamson at 138, Jake Ryan at 145, Josh Deal at 182 and Soloman Chung-Hee at 220.

Chad Shrader took fourth place at 106. Joey McCullough placed fifth at 138 pounds, as did Tyler McCall at 152. Sixth-place efforts went to Jonathon Deese at 126, Colt Lohmeier at 170 and Mike Gordon at 285.

The Tigers have a tri-match tonight (Wednesday) at Jerome and go to the Bonneville Duals in Idaho Falls this Friday and Saturday.