By: Dan Payne - NW Conference SID

Eastern Washington University hosted the annual Northwest Conference Scramble. This was the first chance for teams to get a look at the conference competition and how returning and new wrestlers match up against each other. Montana Western led the conference with regard to undefeated wrestlers at six weights including 125, 133, 157, 165, 184 and 285 followed by Gray’s Habor Community College with 4 undefeated wrestlers at 149, 157, 184, and 235. Other teams with undefeated wrestlers include University of Washington at 141 and 197 lbs and one wrestler from Central Washington University at 174 lbs.

The following day the Northwest Conference competed at the always tough Spokane Open which is hosted at the Spokane Convention center with 210 athletes in attendance. Two NW Conference athletes were able to secure 3^rd place finishes including 141# University of Washington, Andrew Johnson and 165# Montana Western, Jarred Pratt, also placing 5^th at the ever competitive 165# class was Washington State’s Nate Williams. MSU’s Omar Gomez pushed through to the top 8 at 165 lb division. Two other athletes from the Northwest Conference finished in the top 8 from the very competitive 184# class. Returning 2015 Region Champ Tucker Davison and 184 lb. challenger Austin Stannard- WSU.

Team point wise Montana Western lead the conference with 31.5 pts followed by Washington State, 31 pts, Pacific University-28 pts, University of Washington-19, Gray’s Harbor-15.5, Central Washington-14, Western Washington-10.5 and Oregon State- 6.5 pts. The NW Conference should be very competitive at the 2016 NCWA National tournament in Florida.

Dan Payne

NW Conference SID