Crawford and Nichols Place Again for Beavers
12/5/06
The Pratt Community College wrestling team once again competed against the top collegiate wrestlers at all levels in the area on Saturday. This time they traveled to Hays to grapple in the Bob Smith Open at Fort Hays State University where Colby Crawford and Jason Nichols again placed for the Beavers.
Colby Crawford, sophomore from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, continued his great start to the season, making it to the finals of the 141 pound weight class. Crawford, who cruised through his first three opponents, fell to the top-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division II, University of Central Oklahoma’s Kyle Evans.
Also continuing a nice season thus far was Jason Nichols, who placed fourth in the open at 157 pounds. The freshman from Garden City won his first three matches before falling to Jason Leavitt, the sixth-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division II also from UCO. Nichols rebounded with a solid win, before dropping a decision to the number eight wrestler in D-II, Jared Webster of Chadron State University.
“Colby and Jason both had tough roads, but they both battled through their competition,” Head Coach Chas Thompson said. “I thought those guys wrestled well.”
Carl Wilkinson, another mainstay for the Beavers, had a good tournament as well. The freshman heavyweight from Duncan, Oklahoma, won three of his five matches on the day, falling one win short of placing.
“Carl had a long day. He had to wrestle two matches in about a 20 minute span which can weigh on an athlete’s performance. I’m not making any excuses for Carl though. Carl has improved every single time that he has wrestled this year,” Thompson said of his wrestler.
“I was pleased with the way we wrestled overall. The Bob Smith Open is always a good test to see where your kids are,” Thompson added.
The Beavers will hit the mats again Wednesday, traveling down the turnpike to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to duel with Bacone College. They will get under way at 7:00.
Placers Box Score
Colby Crawford 3-1. 2nd at 141 pounds
Dec. Tait Lowe, Western State College of Colorado, 5-3
Dec. Ryan Henning, University of Central Oklhoma, Fall 1:35
Dec. Kyle Francis, Western State College of Colorado, Fall :35
Lost to #1 Kyle Evans, University of Central Oklahoma
Jason Nichols 4-2, 4th at 157 pounds
Dec. Brett Mettlin, Colby Community College, 10-2
Dec. Glen Blount, Neosho County Community College, Fall 2:20
Dec. Paul Mayfield, University of Central Oklahoma, 12-3
Lost to #6 Jason Leavitt, University of Central Oklahoma, 7-3
Dec. Nathan Pilcher, Colorado School of Mines, 6-3
Lost to #8 Jared Webster, Chadron State College, 5-1
