The Wood River High School varsity wrestling team won its first victory of the season Tuesday night on home mats against the Buhl Indians.
Meeting Jerome's Tigers and the Indians at a tri-meet in Hailey, the Wolverines defeated Buhl 30-20 but fell to Jerome 58-19.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines were defeated Wednesday night 53-10 by the Minico Spartans and 59-15 by the Preston Indians in a tri-meet held in Pocatello at Century High School.
A highlight of the four contests was the performance of Wolverine wrestler Collin Hand, who won all four of his matches in the 189 pound class. One was by forfeit, but a victory nonetheless.
Wolverine coach Tyson Young said his young team continues to show improvement and was happy with the win over Buhl.
"The kids are young, but they are learning," he said. "I am very pleased—they are doing a great job."
Wood River defeated the Buhl squad with two wins and three forfeits. Freshman Spencer Bailey nabbed his first varsity victory with a pin in the 125-pound class and Hand scored a pin for the Wolverines at 189 pounds.
In action against Jerome, Wolverine wins were posted by Nick Chase at 119 pounds, Jordan Vert at 160 and Hand at 189.
Even though he won his event, Wolverine standout Vert suffered a concussion in his match against the Tigers, and was kept out of the Buhl meet.
Young also held Vert out of Wednesday's matches against Minico and Preston.
Though tired from the previous nights wrestling and a long bus ride to Pocatello, the Wolverines were able to pull off some victories against the Minico and Preston squads.
Hand won a 10-2 major decision against the Spartans in the 189-pound class and Tanner Orchard pinned his opponent at 135 pounds.
Against Preston, Alex Hand won a 4-1 decision for the Wolverines at 152 pounds.
"We just looked flat last night," Young said Thursday. "That's four matches in two days and it just takes a toll on the body."
The Wolverine wrestlers aren't getting must of a rest. Today and Saturday they're on the road again for an invitational meet in Challis.
Express staff writer Jody Zarkos contributed to this report.
