Indians get tough test at Mid-America

The Comanche Indians had three wrestlers place in the top 10 at the Mid-America Nationals over the past weekend.

Gage Jessen finished ninth at 120 pounds, Erik Roy placed ninth at 175 pounds and Kanon Clift placed eighth at 190 pounds.

“It was a brutal tournament, taking a lot of whoopings, but we kind of knew it would be wrestling top guys from across the nation, especially in Oklahoma,” said Casy Rowell, head coach. “I asked them the same things I told the girls, ‘What are you doing to go above and beyond?’ Because if you’re just doing the bare minimum, you’re not going to do great at that tournament. These guys out there are serious. They’re putting in a lot of time and effort, lifting in the summertime and running all year long.”

Rowell says in many cases, the Indians were just outmanned physically. That’s why when he was talking about the tournament on Monday afternoon he sent the wrestlers to the weight room to lift before wrestling practice started.

The Indians also had a dual on Thursday at Guthrie.

“We battled them really well, I felt good about it,” Rowell said. 

Guthrie won the dual, but some close wins could have switched the score to the Indians’ favor.

“‘We’re right there and I felt good about it,” Rowell said. “I wasn’t too concerned about winning or losing, I just wanted to get a match in, challenge ourselves and wrestle a high-quality team.”