January 5, 2018
CONCORDIA, KANSAS — Members of the inaugural Cloud County Community College wrestling program introduced themselves to their fan base in impressive fashion Friday, and etched their names in the Cloud County record books, following a 38-13 dual victory over Neosho County Community College.
Friday marked the first home dual in school history for Cloud County, which spent the entire fall semester portion of its schedule out on the road. The T-Birds didn't disappoint as they won six of the eight matches wrestled.
"I think it was very exciting. Our guys bought in to wanting to be here at Cloud County and be the first team to win a dual here," said Cloud County head coach, Cody Cole. "I know a lot of the kids put a lot of pressure on themselves (Friday) to do that and give the fans a good show. I think we succeeded and it's a positive step for Cloud County wrestling."
Freshman 133-pounder Tanner McGivney got the crowd into the dual early on as he earned a 10-8 overtime victory over Neosho County's Cody Hey.
Hey forced overtime after receiving a point for ride time. But in the overtime period, McGivney was able to score a takedown off an ankle roll from the scramble position to get Cloud County on the scoreboard.
"He put himself in a scramble situation and we've preached that since the beginning of the year. We want to win those situations," Cole said. "He kept his hips high and came out on top. He did everything right there."
The T-Birds rolled from there as, after receiving a forfeit victory at 141-pounds, they rattled off three straight victories to balloon the lead to 26-3.
Freshmen 149-pounder Tylor Garcia got it started with a dominating 18-2 tech fall win in what was his first collegiate wrestling action of his young career.
"He's a really tough kid and tough wrestler out of Dodge City," Cole said. "He's really knowledgeable about the sport, so to see him come out and compete well in his first college match was awesome."
Sophomore 157-pounder Ryan Delforge followed with a pin of Ryan Brown in 4:10, and Noah Aziere recorded a pin of his own against Christian Fast in 1:33.
Cloud County polished off the evening with a pair of wins from their upper weights, freshmen Zeb Bloom (197) and Benny Hernandez (285). Bloom led 10-1 with 14 seconds remaining before the match was called for a stalling disqualification on the Panthers' Nick Feely.
Hernandez then capped off the dual win with an exciting back-and-forth match against Michael Mattox, who Hernandez pinned at the 1:52 mark of the first period.
The T-Birds, now 2-1 in duals this season, will look to build off Friday's momentum when they host Cowley College at 6 p.m. on Monday inside Arley Bryant Gymnasium.
"We're excited for Monday. Cowley is a first-year program as well and it has put together a good squad," Cole said. "We've now been in our home gym, we'll get to sleep in our own beds, so I think we have a leg up and we'll come out and compete like we did (Friday)."
Results
125: Nick Ornelas (Neosho County) over Jorge Vega (Cloud County), (5-4 Dec.)
133: Tanner McGivney (Cloud County) over Cody Hey (Neosho County), (10-8 Dec.)
141: Miguel Dubs (Cloud County) forfeit.
149: Tylor Garcia (Cloud County) over Garrett Nichols (Neosho County), (18-2 Tech Fall)
157: Ryan Delforge (Cloud County) over Ryan Brown (Neosho County), (Fall 4:10)
165: Noah Aziere (Cloud County) over Christian Fast (Neosho County), (Fall 1:33)
174: Brayden Collins (Neosho County) forfeit.
184: Eli Manzanares (Neosho County) over Hosteen Smith (Cloud County), (14-1 Major Dec.)
197: Zeb Bloom (Cloud County) over Nick Feely (Neosho County), (DQ)
Heavyweight: Benny Hernandez (Cloud County) over Michael Mattox (Neosho County), (Fall 1:52)
