Lights take three titles at Cowboy Open
By Ryan Divish/Havre
Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
In 32 years of its existence, Sunday's annual University of Wyoming Cowboy Open
wrestling tournament was one of the largest with 16 teams and over 400
wrestlers competing.
Fortunately, the vast amount of competition brought out the best in the Montana
State University-Northern wrestling team.
The Lights had their best showing at the Cowboy in the open division with seven
wrestlers placing in the top four, including three individual champs.
Northern and the
Transfer Brian Luna continued to excel, making his return at spring semester
much anticipated for a title win at 133 pounds. Luna defeated Matt Benza of the Air Force Academy 9-8 in a tough championship
match.
At 157, Stryder Davis made his third appearance in
the finals in as many years and took home his second title in three years with
a 3-2 win over Scott Cleve of
Another newcomer, who will make his official
debut at spring semester, is heavyweight Chase Gormley,
who scored Northern's third individual title. Gormley defeated Derek Thompson of the Colorado School of
Mines 5-2.
Northern's other wrestler in the finals came at 184
pounds, where Jesse Juarez lost a tough 8-7 decision to Sam Wendland
of host Cowboys.
Adding third place finishes were Anthony Haukenberry
at 149 and Mazi Burke at 197. Haukenberry
scored a 10-6 win over R.C. LaHaye of
Dan Shaw added a fourth-place finish at 141, falling to Skylar
Woods of
Aaron Jensen also had a strong showing at 165, finishing with a 5-2 record and
a fifth-place finish.
In the 20 and under division, Northern had six wrestlers place in the top eight
with three finishing in the top six, however no lower consolation matches were
wrestled to figure out exact placings.
The Lights will return to action on Nov. 23 when they host