PRATT, Kan.- The Blythe Family Fitness center was the setting for the first annual Beaver Open, and it would seem safe to say the event has been cemented as a permament fixture for the town of Pratt.
The primary source of the morning's excitement came when Beavers 125-pounder Michael Spangler secured a 9-6 decision win over Tommy Hoskins (University of Oklahoma) in the first-place match. Spangler's day began with a pin, only 75 seconds in to his matchup with Dustin Hattfield (University of St. Mary's). Spangler then secured a spot in the first-place match following a 16-1 technical fall over Nathaneal Rankin (University of the Ozarks).
At 149 lbs., Jacob Beeson also finished the afternoon as a champion. Winning his first match of the day with a decisive 17-3 decision over Northeast Oklahoma's Zach Porter, Beeson out-grappled Kolby Droegemeier (Barton) to a narrow 1-0 decision in the semi-final match. Beeson capped his day with a win in the championship matchup, a 7-4 decision victory against Cameron Picklo (Univeristy of Oklahoma).
Coach Kepley saw four other Beavers place as well, including Jacob Mitchell, Misael Monarrez, Bobby Williams, Bryce Westmoreland, and Juan Urbina.
Mitchell cruised into the 141 lbs. championship match by way of a 15-6 decision in his first action of the day, and then by pin fall. Mitchell eventually finished as runner-up following a 17-6 decision loss to bracket-winner Blake Gonzalez (Northeast Oklahoma). Monarrez won the 174 lbs. third-place match over Oklahoma Wesleyan University's Dailen Presgrove by fall. Monarrez's only defeat of the day was by a narrow 3-1 decision over eventual first-place winner Elijah Joseph (University of Oklahoma). Bobby Williams, finished in third place at 184 lbs. after winning the third-place match after a 8-7 decision win over Oklahoma Wesleyan's Ridge Smith. Like Monarrez, Williams' only loss on the day came over eventual division winner Joey Ewalt (Barton).
At 197 lbs., Bryce Westmoreland also ended the day with a third-place finish, pinning Oklahoma Wesleyan's Titus Woodward at 1:48 in the first period. Juan Urbina placed fourth for the Beavers in the 157 lbs. weight class.
