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By Johnny McMahan/Senior Editor 11/2/04

ALTUS - Woodward opens its dual wrestling season here tonight with junior high and high school matches against the Bulldogs.

The Boomers are coming off two strong open tournament performances where they placed 16 and 20 wrestlers, respectively, in the top six of their weight classes. In addition, freshmen Joey Miller and Derrek Branson won championships in the prestigious Panhandle Nationals in Amarillo over the Thanksgiving weekend.

"We've done pretty good in the tournaments," said Boomer head coach Greg Johnson. "Joey Miller has wrestled real well at 103 and at 275 I've been very impressed with Derrek Branson. Both went to nationals this summer and that always makes you better."

Matt Johnson, a three-time state qualifier and one of the favorites for a state title this year is undefeated in the early going. Johnson wrestled for the Oklahoma team in national competition over the summer.

"Matt has been wrestling well," Johnson said. "And Michael Comstock only lost to Matt in the first preseason tournament. In the second one, he didn't lose until he hurt his shoulder."

Comstock is expected back soon and the Boomers should also get Jacob Morgan back before the season gets too far along. Both are waiting on doctor's releases.

Jason Schultz won his first high school medal during the tournaments and coach Johnson said Ramon Marin has been impressive in the wrestling room.

Altus as usual will provide a solid challenge.

"They have a pretty good 119 pounder and 125 pounder," Johnson said. "I also think somewhere around 160 and 171 they have a pretty decent guy.

"Other than that I don't know much about them. They've got a new coach this year."

Here is the high school lineup for the dual.

103 - Joey Miller, Fr.

112 - Brent Butcher, Fr.

119 - John Davis, Jr.

125 - Caleb Lewis, Soph.

130 - Ramon Marin, Soph.

135 - Kevin Branine, Sr.

140 - Joseph Cox, Fr.

145 - Jason Schultz, Sr.

152 - Michael Comstock, Jr. (injured)

160 - Matt Johnson, Sr.

171 - Kyle Simpson, Soph.

189 - Adam Pareja, Sr.

215 - John O'Dell, Soph., or Jacob Radke, Soph.

275 - Derrek Branson, Fr.

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Wrestlers bring medals home

Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 , British Columbia, CANADA

A strong showing by Agassiz high school's wrestling team at their first major tournament last month in Sardis has coach Darryl Inancsi beaming about his team's chances for the rest of the season.

Drew-McKnight-Yeates won gold and was, according to Inancsi, the tournament's most outstanding wrestler. Martin Hertweck lost one match, falling to last year's National Champion, but fought back to win the consolation final and a bronze medal.

Anthony Yasinski, O"Shea Ferrero and Lorne Bleakney all made it to the consolation final and even though all wrestled well, had to settle for fourth.

Six girl wrestlers finished with medals. Roxanne Stanley and Rachel Doomermic both captured silver medals in their weight classes.

Jina Piercy, Sara Thibeault, Jaylene Van Basten and Hayley Eastwood all received bronze medals for their efforts.

"Moreover, the girls team placed an incredible second overall in this tournament, and nine of the 13 wrestlers are in the seventh grade," the coach said.

The team's next tournament is at Heritage Park on Dec. 10.