Bateman Pins Three, Places Third

Stephen Bateman, Kimball heavyweight, took 3rd place at the combined Western Trails and SPVA Conference Wrestling Tournaments held in Bridgeport this past week.

Bateman had a good day in taking 3rd place honors at 285 pounds winning 3 matches and losing only 1. All 3 of his wins were by pin including a :37 second fall over Jones of Bayard.

Connor Cluff at 130 was 2 and 3 for the day with a first match fall and a 8-7 decision but lost 12-9 in the match for 5th place. Izaak Rohde at 182 finished 4th registering 1 win and 3 losses.

Toby McManigal at 220 was also 1 and 3 for the day but performed well according to coach Wade Brashear.

Coach Brashear, commenting on the tournament said, “We had only four wrestlers compete at WTC-SPVA.

“Jordan Cluff was out due to a facial injury but will return for districts this week. Stephen Bateman made a good statement at conference and returned to winning wrestling, placing 3rd, and won some big matches against district opponents.

“Toby McManigal also wrestled well, losing a close match for placing, but also beating the 3rd place wrestler in a pool match.

“We have Districts coming up this week at Broken Bow, and once again the C-4 District looks to be one of the toughest in the state, as it usually is.”