| While most students spent most of the weekend sweating it out on textbooks for upcoming finals, the Spartan wrestling
squad did their sweating on the mat during the lumberjack Tournament at Humboldt State. |
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| In fact, the Spartan wrestlers did a lot of sweating during the past week wrestling opposing teams on three consecutive
nights and then competing in the tournament the very next day. |
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| Although the squad as a whole ended the tournament with a less than impressive 17 wins and 16 losses, there were
still some individuals who made great strides. |
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| "I think the best description of our performance during the weekend would be very mediocre," said Spartan
coach Kevin Hejnal. "We wrestled fairly in some places and we did well in others." |
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| The only Spartan wrestler who Hejnal is probably a bit more pleased with is 167-pound Shane Baum who finished second
in the overall competition. |
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| Baum, who has been on a tear after his loss against Chico State last week, dominated his competition throughout
the tournament. |
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| After winning the first two matches, Baum seemed headed for the finals to face Chico's Brent Cranig in a long awaited
rematch. |
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| But, while Baum's spirit was willing, his body was not. |
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| A pulled hip muscle that had been nagging him all day, inflamed to the point where he could barely walk. |
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| Facing the possibility of aggravating the soreness, Baum had to forfeit his match and settle for second place. |
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| "The decision to pull Shane out of the tournament was entirely his," Hejnal said. "It was a shame
that he couldn't wrestle, because I believe that would've won the match. But it was for the best that he dropped
out." |
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| Baum's muscle should heal in a few days and he will not be put on the disabled list. |
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| Another Spartan wrestler who turned in an outstanding performance was 118-pound Andrew Flores, one of the fastest
improving members of the squad. |
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| Spending the previous season red-shirting. Flores got off to a rocky start with a 1-2 record, but has recently
picked up steam. |
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| Going into the Lumberjack Tournament with a win over Humboldt State the previous night. Flores went into the quarterfinals
to face Erin Millsap of Cal State Fullerton, whom he beat in a previous encounter 3-2. |
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| However, Flores found himself behind early in the match when Miltsap scored a takedown. |
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| Flores was able to fight back with a takedown of his own, but got behind again 6-3 in the third period. |
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| It was during the third period that Millsap began to use his stalling tactics. |
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| "It gets me so mad, when my opponent, like this character stops wrestling and begins stalling," Flores
said. "What it tells me is that this guy doesn't have the guts to take it to me. " |
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| The 6-3 loss left Flores with some mental and physical damage. Flores suffered a lost tooth, a black eye, a damaged
nose, and a cut lip. |
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| "Andrew is improving in each match," Hejnal I said. "Although he needs work on his riding ability,
his takedowns are getting to he so good, that it will only be a matter of time that Andrew will be a very potent
wrestler. " |
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| Improvement can also describe 126-pound Joel Chew, who finished fourth in the overall competition. |
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| Although Chew lost a tough 7-3 match against Chico State's Tony Ramirez, certain signs of the freshman's ability
are beginning to show. |
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| "Joel is starting to win matches in a good, well-matured style," Hejnal said. "But, his best quality
is his ability to come back after being behind." |
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| While newcomer Chew was proud about his performance during the tournament, veteran Greg Eissner was disappointed. |
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| The 134-pound wrestler had a chance to win his semifinal match against Southern Oregon's Mike Ritchey by converting
a reverse takedown, but ran out of time in the final period and had to settle for a 3-2 loss. |
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| "Greg should have beaten the guy, but he couldn't convert the rididng time or the takedown," Hejnal said.
"Although Greg is an outstanding defensive wrestler, he still has to work on his offensive moves, mostly the
takedowns." |
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| The Spartan's next home match is against San Francisco State, Friday December 4th at 7pm in Spartan Gym. |
