Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

The Longhorn wrestling squad tested its skills in a multi-meet Wednesday at Payson High School.

Coach Travis Kopenhafer said there is usually not a breakout for a first, second and third place in a multi-meet, but looking at the total points, Payson came in second.

PHS hosted Alchesay, Blue Ridge, Show Low and Snowflake Dec. 10. The coach said Show Low won all its matches, so would have taken first-place honors if they had been awarded.

Payson had decisive wins over Alchesay and Blue Ridge and tied on points with Snowflake, but was awarded the win on its number of near-fall points. Show Low won with 39 points to Payson’s 28 when the two squads met.

“We gave them 12 points at the outset because we didn’t have a full team,” Kopenhafer said.

Payson did not put wrestlers on the mat with Show Low in the 145- and 160-pound weight classes.

Winning their Show Low contests were Jacob Spear, wrestling at 103 pounds; Ben Sandoval at 135 pounds; Ryan Cox at 140 pounds; and Derek Williams at 171 pounds.

Also participating in the Show Low match were Thad Hauser, Ryan Abraham, Ben Lee, Jacob Cluff, Nick Goodman, Nick Walker, Brian Burke and Garrett McNeeley.

The Longhorns won their match with Alchesay 58-18, but there were only six actual contests. Winning their individual matches were Cluff, Cox, Williams and McNeeley. Goodman and Walker lost their contests. Spear, Hauser, Abraham, Lee, Sandoval and Burke had no competition.

Payson bested Blue Ridge 51-13. Winning their matches were Cluff, Sandoval, Cox, Garcia and Goodman. Spear, Williams and Burke lost their contests and Abraham, Lee, Walker and McNeeley had no competition.

The match with Snowflake saw the Longhorns tie at 42-42, but they get the win based on the number of near falls the squad members were awarded.

The next wrestling action is Dec. 19 and 20 at Payson’s Rim Country Duals. Look for details closer to the two-day contest.