NIC WRESTLING: Hvass wins at Mountaineer Open

LA GRANDE, Ore. — North Idaho College’s Hoyt Hvass, a freshman from Lewiston High, pinned Scout Santos in 5 minutes, 28 seconds to win the 133-pound championship match of the Mountaineer Open on Sunday on the campus of Eastern Oregon University. 

Hvass won four of five matches by pin for NIC, with another by technical fall. 

“He was impressive for the first time out on the mat,” NIC coach Derrick Booth said. “He was picking up bonus points throughout and wrestled well all day.” 

Redshirt freshman Gabe Lake (165 pounds) and freshman Ray Griffin (285) finished fourth for NIC. 

“Both Gabe and Ray battled and wrestled on Friday (at home against Big Bend),” Booth said. “It was the first big test for some of these guys and why we came here to get some mat time and see where we need to continue to improve. We’re trying to find some things to work on and the guys competed hard all day.” 

NIC faces Evergreen State on Friday at Tahoma High in Maple Valley, Wash.