It was a solid opening weekend of Houston wrestling, but things should get better in a hurry. 3/4 of the teams present missing wrestlers to football and it showed in the Friday duals and the Saturday tournament, particularly in the upper weights.

The tournament was competition at its highest last year, but the missing football kids, the smaller tournament field, and the later season start changed this into more of a quest for mat time than a hunt for # 1. Coach Ribordy did a great job sensing this and the changed format allowed a minimum of 5 matches for every kid. It was a great jump start to the season. And best of all, we finally got to see some real wrestling.

The team of the weekend was definitely Cy Fair who had 9 in the finals of a deep 16 team tournament. They will be very tough as the year goes on and could prove a team to watch on the state level. Woodlands and Klein were also tough but all judgements on the team level should obviously be reserved at this point.

103 Josh Brown of Klein dominates a field weakened by weight certification. He looks very tough and it is easy to see how he went undefeated first at Bishop Lynch and now here. State ranked Tyler Lukes missed weight in his first high school competition.

112 Nick Waltman of Cinco was very impressive in a win over Austin Davis of Klein Oak. Many thought this would be a tight match but it was not particulary competitive despite a game effort from Davis. Waltman looked very good. Newhouse from the Woodlands also looks like one to watch.

119 A very deep and tough field that emphasized just how good Eric Spjut is. His :30 dismantling of Beasley (CF) in the finals was awesome. Matt Morgan (Katy) pinned Figueroa (Klein) for 3rd. This was a reversal of an earlier upset when Figueroa, a move-in from California, pinned Morgan.

125 Chris Nguyen got an unexpected finals test from Vanderbilt (CF) in the Finals. Vanderbilt had the only takedown and could have won if not for a fleeing the mat call.

130 Austin McCain (CF) pinned Josh Smith (Cy Ridge) in a lopsided performance.

135 Matt Rascon (Woodlands) had a tough come from behind win over Austin Metcalf (CF),

140 Matt Kovacs (Woodlands) continued what looked like a Woodlands-Cy Fair middle weight dual with another close decision over Hasson (CF)

145 Jamie Sheets won a deep weight class with a tough win over rerturning state qualifier Rafeon Stotts (Klein Oak). Sheets’ technique was as tough as ever, but he apperared to get stronger as the match went on and appears to be physically and mentally tougher than ever before. Drew Pikulski of Cy Fair was 3rd with Curry (Taylor) and Boasherliev (Woodlands) 4th and 5th in a very deep weight.

152 Chris Renaud (CF) was one of 2 champions for the Bobcats as he beat Kovacs (Woodlands).

160 Jay Fortner (Klein Oak) was very impressive winning by fall over kevin Holden (katy). Expect Fortner, just a sophomore, to at least match his brother Tom’s state finals appearanc before he graduates. Gaume of the Woodlands was 3rd and was probably the 2nd toughest guy in the weight.

171 Claeys (Brazoswood) pinned Gresham (Morton Ranch) in the finals. Both guys wrestled very well but this was an unimpressive weight on the whole.

180 This weight made up for the lack of depth at 171 and 189. Will McNair (returning state finalist) of Cinco Ranch beat returning state qualifier Phil Thomas of Klein in the day’s marquee match. Both are legit. Bufford (Brazoswood) and Taylor (Mayde Creek) both looked tough as well.

189 Park of Klein defeated Freed of Cy Fair.

215 Steve Nijoka (Strake Jesuit) looked very quick and controlled the bigger Miller (Klein). Ortega of Taylor beat Amoo (Morton Ranch) in OT for 3rd.

285 Benson (Mayde Creek) beat Cantelmo (Cy Fair) in a slow match.