By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

OREGON CITY, Ore.– McKay High School was well represented at the 33rd annual Clackamas Community College Takedown tournament Saturday at the main campus of the Cougars.

Five Royal Scots Wrestlers were also joined by seven mat club athletes that McKay and North Salem put on.

Seeing so many kids there is great said Scots Head Coach Troy Thomas.

“As always as a younger kid your looking up to the older kids, when you see the high Schoolers doing the right things, putting in the work and getting those wins,” said Thomas.  “It really sets the tune for your mat club kids and it’s pretty easy hierarchy of leadership where they have a role matter that they can look up to that it’s a person that they know.  Someone that they practice and train with also.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have these many high of turnout especially in a preseason turnout like this where it’s absolutely not required,” “I think it shows not only, in general in wrestlers popular sport, but at McKay, it’s very popular.”

Three McKay Scots finished second in their respective competitions, Bryant Mendoza (110), Salavdor “Chava” Carmago (Heavyweight), and David Rubio (170).

For Rubio, success has been something he’s slowly grown accostume to since making the move up to Varsity during his freshman season.

When Coach Thomas wasn’t on his side, Andy Rubio, Carmago and occasionally Vikings Shannon Glover came over to support the sophomore as David Rubio describes the tournament as a tune up for the season ahead.

“I love the competition and I take every advantage to wrestle and just compete every (day) before the season,” said Rubio. “It’s a great experience and it’ll benefit me in the season a lot.”

North Salem’s Shannon Glover finished third in the 140 pound weight class.

Up-and-Coming Scots wrestler, Norely Lara, finished fourth in the 110 pound class and proved tough and scrappy as the freshman looks to make some noise this year in the Green and Gold.

“I think this tournament can actually help me getting into the season because I’m still kind of new,” said Lara.  “And just knowing all of the different techniques and what to do can help me this season following tournaments and I can spot on how kids wrestle and use them as techniques.”

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Photos By Jeremy McDonald