Trojans Qualify Ten

The Colby Community College wrestling team earned the West-Central Regional Championship this past weekend at Rock Springs, Wyoming and, in doing so, qualified their entire varsity line-up for the NJCAA national tournament.

Nine Trojan wrestlers earned automatic tournament berths by virtue of their top three finish at the meet and a tenth was able to procure a wildcard entry into the national tournament.

The Trojans finished the meet with 100.5 team points, which was comfortably ahead of second place Northwest Wyoming’s 79 point tally. Labette placed third, Neosho fourth and tournament host, Western Wyoming, finished fifth.

Earning tournament championships for the Trojans were Erkin Tadzhimetov at 133 pounds, Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov at 157 pounds, Alibek Pardakulov at 174 pounds and C.B. Dollaway at 184 pounds. Tadzhimetov, Abdurakhmanov and Dollaway are each ranked as the NJCAA’s top wrestler in their respective weight class. Pardakulov is currently ranked sixth, but has defeated Labette’s top ranked Aaron Meister on two occasions, including a 10-5 decision in the championship finals on Saturday.

Placing second at the meet for Colby were O.T. Johnson at 149 pounds and Rio Mayo at 285 pounds. Johnson, currently ranked second, lost a one point decision to fourth ranked Luke Salazar of Northwest Wyoming. Mayo is not currently ranked, but had a superb outing at the qualifier.

Third place medalists for the Trojans were 125 pounder Davey Dyke, 165 pounder Roshawn Haldarov and 197 pounder Derek Daugherty. Dyke is currently ranked fifth in the NJCAA poll, while Haldarov is ranked second. Daugherty, who was thrust into the varsity line-up after Christmas due to injury, had an outstanding outing and surprised the competition with his national tournament berth.

Meanwhile, the NJCAA’s top ranked 141 pound wrestler had to rely upon his reputation to gain entry into this year’s national tournament. Returning NJCAA All-American, and Oberlin product, Bryan Miller had compiled a 19-1 record against junior college competition this season, but went 0-2 on the day in what may have been the most competitive weight class at the regional.

Despite his sub-par outing, Miller was awarded a wildcard entry into this year’s national tournament. Ironically, Miller went winless at last season’s regional tournament too before securing a wildcard berth and going on to earn All-American honors.

The NJCAA’s top ranked Colby Trojans will now compete for team and individual honors at the NJCAA national tournament in Rochester, Minnesota on February 28th and March 1st.