by Thomas Spencer
Over the weekend the Florence Falcons hosted Sentinel’s JV and Plains/Hot Springs for the Mike McChesney Memorial Duals. Florence wrestlers competed very well in the event. “We are excited and happy to hold this annual event to memorialize Mike McChesney,” Athletic Director Scott Stiegler commented. “He was a beloved person in our community for many years. There are two generations of children who either played football or wrestled in Florence and Mike played a major role in each of their experiences.”
The Falcons put on a good show for the attendees. None of the matches “went the distance,” so all ended in either a pin or a technical fall (when a match is stopped because one wrestler is fifteen plus points ahead). Ten Falcon wrestlers pinned their opponents and Jon Post, of Florence, bested Drew Fuller of Sentinel’s JV by technical fall in just over two minutes. Jon Post, Seth Wilson, Gabe Miller, Jett Murray, Sean Larson, Lance Burrows, Jared Weaver, Dallas Blair, and Luke Makie all won at least one match by pin.
Each won match will help them later in the postseason. Stiegler explained, “These matches will have some bearing on the rest of the season for the Plains and Florence athletes because ultimately, it will contribute to the seeding criteria for them as they enter the postseason tournaments at the beginning of February.”
Florence will travel to Fairfield on Thursday to compete in the Pre Classic Mixer.
The valley’s Class A wrestling teams were scheduled to attend the Ronan Duals but due to dangerous road conditions, none attended.