Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Steamboat Sailors' vacation from the wrestling mat ends on Friday when they load the buses for Avon to tangle with the Battle Mountain Huskies for a match that starts at 6 p.m.

The Sailors, who have not competed since the Olathe Invitational Dec. 9, will be eager to wrestle against their conference opponents, who last competed at the Warrior Classic at Grand Junction Central Dec. 15 and 16.

"It's been a long break and I think we're ready to come back," Sailor sophomore Johnny Stanko said. "We're hoping to come back strong the second part of the season."

Stanko, who wrestles in the 125-pound class, has three wins this season. He, most likely, will wrestle against the Huskies' Ryan Maclanlin, who is a junior.

First-year Huskies' coach Paul Noble said his wrestlers also are anticipating getting back out onto the mat.

Lee Sandoval, a 112-pounder who is 8-3 this season, will wrestle against Steamboat's Justin O'Leary, who has seven wins including forfeits. Sandoval placed third in the state in 1999 as a 112-pound freshman.

O'Leary was runner-up at the Steamboat Invitational in the 112-pound class.

Seth Kissinger, who placed third at the Warrior Classic in the heavyweight division, will wrestle the Sailors' Will Zimmerer, who was third at the Steamboat Invitational.

Kissinger placed third in the state in 1999 as a heavyweight.

Noble, who coached at East Bay High School in Tampa, Fla., last season, said the Huskies are an improving group.

"They have a great work ethic," Noble said. "I couldn't be happier with the work ethic they've shown."

Steamboat this season has competed in a triangular match with Basalt and Eagle Valley, a dual with Salida and the Olathe Invitational and Steamboat Invitational.

Steamboat was defeated by Salida and Basalt but beat Eagle Valley. The Sailors came in last at the Olathe Invitational but were eighth out of 13 teams at the Steamboat Invitational.

The Huskies' match with the Sailors will be their first home match of the season.