Baker matmen third at GU

“We were where I expected our team would be, but it wasn’t just the guys that we normally count on that made a contribution, it was everyone and it got started with our 103-pounders,” said Baker coach Brandon Young.

“All three of them won their first matches which got the momentum rolling in the early rounds of the tournament.”

Young said Noah Fulfer and Josh Valentine were both trailing in their matches and made dramatic comebacks to win.

“The kids really wrestled with a lot of heart,” Young said. “They are all excited about wrestling and it showed by how hard each of them tried on Saturday. The gold star would have to go to 103-pounder Travis Darnell. Travis has really focused on his studies since wrestling began a few weeks ago. The best way I could sum up Travis is ‘dirty tough.’ He’s not afraid to attack and it showed in his championship match against Tyler Flint of Vale who qualified for the state tournament last season.”

Darnell was losing in the early rounds 6-5 and then rallied in the final round to turn Flint for a 3-point near fall to seal the win 8-6. 

Young said Lane Zacharias stayed true to his character as he finished the day 2-2 with a couple of close victories where he out-worked his opponents. 

As a team Baker finished third out of eight teams.

Grant Union Invitational

(Baker results)

103 — 1. Travis Darnell, 3-0; Noah Fulfer, 1-2; Josh Valentine, 1-2. 112 — 3. Zach Valentine, 2-1. 119 — Travis Whiting, 0-2. 130 — 2. Parker Warner, 2-1; Holden Grove, 0-2. 135 — 4. Andrew Porter, 2-2. 140 — Tyler Hertel, 0-2. 145 — 2. Sam Pearson, 2-1. 152 — Phineas Oglesbee, 1-2. 160 — Lane Zacharias, 2-2. 171 — 4. Wyatt Duncan, 3-2; Henry Shaw, 0-2. 189 — 3. Bryce Waldron, 3-1. 285 — 3. Jake Shukle, 3-1.