2008 Woodie Awards
Two Days of Reflection
After two Back-to-Back to Finish the Season, the Mules' Wrestling team faces Ups and Downs with Regionals on the Horizon.
Gale L O'Dell
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
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"[Hanford] is really good," said coach Robin Ersland. "He is highly ranked and highly thought of, and Beck had a really good match with him. He went double overtime and won."
The next day, the Mules went up against No. 6 Central Oklahoma (UCO) Bronchos. Beck went blow for blow again, although this time in a loss. Just like Beck, the team would also go blow for blow with the opposing Bronchos.
Beck's matches easily sum up the two days UCM had. There are mixed feelings in the air about last weeks duals. The team put on a show on both days, first by walking over Newman and then going toe-to-toe against Central Oklahoma in a close 21-15 loss.
The dual Wednesday started with sophomore Bryon Clark winning by forfeit, and teammates, freshman Marcus Walker and sophomore Cory Bloodgood, winning their duals, giving the Mules an early 12-0 lead. The Mules went on to win 41-6.
The following night, the Mules tried to keep up with the Bronchos. Clark started the night off with a win, but it was followed by a loss for Walker. It went back and forth for both teams until the final match. Beck could not win the deciding match and the dual went to UCO.
"It was really close," Beck said. "I have to stay more aggressive and stay after him. I just needed to keep my offense up."
Even though the Mules lost to the Bronchos, Ersland said he was pleased with the team's effort.
"The [Bronchos] are ranked number one in the region, and that's the team to beat," Ersland said. "It came down to the last match, so we have a chance to beat them. The guys are starting to believe that. We have to make it happen."
Junior Travis Barbarick, senior Vince Bertucci and Bloodgood were the only Mules to win both of their duals during the two-day span.
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