Swift, Lopez, Silva win tourney titles

FOREST GROVE, Ore. — Jacob Swift (157 pounds), Isaac Lopez (125) and Salvador Silva (149) all won championships for North Idaho College at the Mike Clock Open on Sunday at Pacific University’s Stoller Athletic Center.

Swift, a sophomore, went 5-0 on the day with two pins, capped with a medical forfeit victory over John Sowers of Highline.

Lopez, a freshman, was 4-0 with two pins, including a pin of Zachary Mauras in 3:58 in the championship match.

“He wrestled tough,” NIC assistant coach Junior Lule said of Swift. “He’s been having a good start to the season. He’s been dominating everyone this season. Isaac’s been dominating everyone as well.”

Silva, a redshirt freshman, was 5-0 with two pins, finishing with a medical forfeit win over Zachery Sias of Warner Pacific.

“We’ve been waiting for him to win his first tournament; he was due,” Lule said. “He’s just kept working, kept getting better every day. He didn’t hang his head from past losses; he just learned from it and got better.”

Sophomore Hunter Gregerson of NIC placed fourth at 197.

Lopez and Swift also won titles at the Northwest Open on Nov. 9 in Powell, Wyo.

First-year NIC coach Mike Sebaaly did not make the trip, staying home after his wife gave birth on Friday.

NIC, ranked 11th in the NJCAA, hosts Clackamas, ranked third, and Northwest Wyoming on Friday in a tri-match at Christianson Gym. The Cardinal Duals are Saturday at NIC.