Bruin wrestlers dominant in their final home meet of the season

Bruin Tim Drafahl (left) plants his opponent Thursday at BHHS. The Pilot/Jef Hatch

Head Coach Dave Freeman said that the meet showed that Bruin intensity and technique are a work in progress, but that it was a good win for the program. Freeman also said team showed significant improvement Thursday.

“Our goal is for the light bulb to go on for all of (the Bruins) before district,” he said.

“We definitely improved his week,” he said. “We’re definitely turning a corner before district. Everybody did their job. Hopefully we can get that to carry through the rest of the season.”

The difference Thursday versus the last two weeks was the Bruins were wrestling with better technique and smarter, according to Kocher.

“(The Bruins) weren’t trying to force things,” he said. “They were just setting up (the Bulldogs) and taking

their shots.”

Bruin Brandon Holteen won by major decision Thursday, 19-5. Kocher said Holteen was listening well and didn’t try anything crazy during the win.

“(Holteen) definitely kept working,” Kocher said.

At 112, Pete Peterson won by tech fall 16-0.

Bruin Cole Hannan was aggressive Thursday, for a usually defensive wrestler, according to Kocher. The aggression paid off, as Hannan pinned Dylan Rose in 59 seconds.

“(Hannan) is realizing he has a really good shot, and hopefully he’ll continue to use it,” Kocher said.

Despite having some pinning combo issues, according to Kocher, Bruin Nicky Yuan won by pin in the first round at 135.

“(Yuan) got the job done,” Kocher said. “He wrestled technically well.”

At 145, Bruin John Fowler had a good match and showed improvement Thursday, Kocher said. Fowler pinned his Bulldog opponent in the second round.

“(Fowler) did a good job on his breakdowns and setting up his pinning combos,” Kocher said.

Tim Drafahl was victorious and impressive again at 152 with a 23-6, third-round tech fall.

“That’s what we expected of (Drafahl) and he didn’t disappoint,” Kocher said.

In the 160-pound weight class, Bruin Eric Olsen won by major decision, 11-1.

After a three week absence, Bruin Daniel Grubb did well, according to Kocher, despite a 5-14 point loss.

“It’s hard to come back after an injury, especially if you haven’t been able to run,” Kocher said. “It affects your conditioning.”

At 189, Isaac Sanders wrestled really well versus a tough opponent, Kocher said. But despite “fighting” hard, Sanders lost by pin.

In the 215-pound class Jesse Ashley took an early lead and held out for a 5-3 win. Kocher said Ashley did his job for the Bruins.

BHHS heavyweight Favian Fernandez sealed a 5-2 win with a last-second takedown. According to Kocher, Fernandez wrestled much better than he had in the last two weeks Thursday.

“(Fernandez) closed the match a lot better,” Kocher said. “He had better practices this week and it definitely got him somewhere.”

Saturday the Bruins will be at the Cottage Grove Tournament for the last pre-district tune up.

“(Cottage Grove) will be a really good indication of where you’re going to be at state,” Freeman said. “If you place there, you’re doing really well.”