The Mingus Union High School wrestling team traveled south to Tucson on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13 and 14, to participate in the Flowing Wells Invitational Tournament.
Mingus finished 23rd overall out of 38 schools with 62.50 points. Ironwood Ridge High School took the top prize, taking first overall with 175.50 points. Cibola High School was second with 165.50 points while Sunnyside High School wrapped up the top three with 148 points.
“It was a really big tournament, but I think we wrestled better in Peoria the weekend before. I was hoping for better results, but the next two weeks we’ll need to get healthy for our sectional and state competitions,” Mingus Head Coach Klint McKean said.
Top performances for the Marauders at Flowing Wells High School this past weekend included junior Hank Goettl, who took fifth overall with a 5-2 record and one pin in the 132-pound weight division.
Senior Dillon Lightfoot, who was wrestling at 152 pounds, took sixth overall with a 4-3 record and no pins.
Finishing one win from placement was 160-pound senior Justin Zaske, who was 4-2, while senior Brandon Morales was 4-2 as well at 170 pounds. Senior Pal Scott finished 3-2 in the 106-pound weight division.
“Justin [Zaske] was actually seeded first, but had some back issues and wasn’t able to finish at the top in his weight class,” McKean said.
McKean added his team needs to get healthy over the next two weeks if the Marauders are to have a chance at state in February.
Mingus lost to Prescott High School on Jan. 11 due to giving up 18 points before even beginning because the Marauders didn’t have a wrestler for three different weight classes.
Mingus is scheduled to participate in two more regular season events, the first coming Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Sunnyslope.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Marauders will go to Bradshaw Mountain High School for a dual meet, which is the regular season finale.
The Section I [Division III] Championships are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 4, at Winslow High School. The Division III State Championships are set for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11, at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
