The Warsaw Tiger wrestlers roared off to a great start, going undefeated in the season-opening Tiger Classic on Saturday, a major turn-around in the face of last year's two wins and three losses.

This year, five teams visited the Tiger Den and all were victims of a hardworking Tiger squad. The first casualty was Eastside, falling by a score of 67-10, and then LaVille put up a bit of a fight but came up short, losing 48-31. By a score of 78-6, Warsaw next thrashed Tippecanoe Valley's abbreviated squad of five wrestlers. The Kokomo Wildcats were scrappy but the Tigers came out on top, 39-30. The Triton Trojans with only seven wrestlers managed to grab three wins against Warsaw, but were bested, 63-18.

Among the seven Tigers who won all their matches, senior Bobby Derbyshire was recognized in a coaches poll as the outstanding competitor for the event. Summer wrestling in freestyle competition enhanced his technique and contributed immensely to his success on the mat Saturday. Derbyshire is in one of the more competitive weight classes (152 pounds), yet he pinned four opponents en route to his undefeated record. He also battled to a 4-1 victory over Kyle Fluck of Kokomo.

Freshman Kent Nielson (112) scored three falls along with a pair of forfeits, and senior teammate Chris Elvidge (135) also had three falls, but also went the distance for two additional victories by decision. Another freshman, Andy Keener (145), had two falls and two decisions along with a forfeit.

Three Warsaw juniors were also undefeated. Tom Lowe (171), after a year off, came back with a strong showing, beating all of his opponents by fall and receiving one forfeit. Dale Wood (160) had a pair of falls and a major decision along with one forfeit, while Joel Perry (189) showed profit from off-season work in the weight room, pinning two opponents in the first period and winning a major decision in addition to receiving a pair of forfeits.

Freshman Matt Elvidge (130) had two wins, while Sam Smyth (275), Mixio Gayton (140) and Johnny Mattson (103) each came away with one win.

Tippecanoe Valley and Triton had a rough day with only partial rosters. Valley has three wrestlers out due to injury and brought only five to compete. They were unable to garner a single win as a team.

Triton sent seven grapplers to the mat, and one of the Trojans went undefeated on the day, Zac Chittum at 215 pounds. The lone team victory for Triton came against Valley, 24-21. In addition, the Trojans came away with three pins in their match against the tough Tiger squad.

Warsaw coaches are optimistic and describe their team as a feisty, intense, athletic and energetic group that will only improve as the season progresses.

The Tigers stand at 5-0 and will host only one more home meet Nov. 30 against Elkhart Memorial, in the Career Center Gym at 6:45 p.m.

WARSAW DEF. EASTSIDE 67-10

103 - Johnny Mattson (W), ff

112 - Kent Nielson (W) pinned Tyler Richmond (E), 1:31

119 - Andrew Lauster (W), ff

125 - Zach Rude (E) pinned Nick Missos (W), 1:00

130 - Matt Elvidge (W) pinned Alex MacDonald (E), 1:33

135 - Chris Elvidge (W) def. Adam Emerson (E), 14-5, maj.

140 - Tyler Schaffer (E) def. Mixio Gayton (W), 16-2, maj.

145 - Andy Keener (W) def. Ray Hatfield (E), 9-5

152 - Bobby Derbyshire (W) pinned Eric Huff (E), 1:01

160 - Dale Wood (W) pinned Mike Hatfield (E), 3:34

171 - Tom Lowe (W) pinned Heath Smith (E), 1:54

189 - Joel Perry (W) pinned Nick Freise (E), 1:33

215 - Justin Watts (W), ff

275 - Sam Smyth (W), ff

WARSAW DEF. LAVILLE 48-31

103 - Alek Schafer (LaVille) pinned Johnny Mattson (W), 3:12

112 - Ken Nielson (W) pinned Zach Haygood (LV), 1:00

119 - Andrew Lauster (W), ff

125 - Jeff Surguy (LV) pinned Nick Missos (W), 1:06

130 - Brandon Bettcher (LV) pinned Matt Elvidge (W), 4:51

135 - Chris Elvidge (W) pinned Justin Richards (LV), 3:03

140 - Ronnie McCullough (LV) def. Mixio Gayton (W), 13-2, maj.

145 - Andy Keener (W) pinned Ian Webb (LV), :23

152 - Bobby Derbyshire (W) pinned Ryan Wright (LV), 4:56

160 - Dale Wood (W) pinned Coty Fisher (LV), 1:43

171 - Tom Lowe (W) pinned Chris Swihart (LV), 5:05

189 - Joel Perry (W) pinned Bryant Coburn (LV), 1:45

215 - Jarred Whitbey (LV) def. Justin Watts (W), 12-6

275 - Rick Megonnell (LV) pinned Sam Smyth (W), 1:55

WARSAW DEF. T. VALLEY 78-6

103 - Johnny Mattson (W), ff

112 - Ken Nielson (W), ff

119 - Andrew Lauster (W), ff

125 - Nick Missos (W), ff

130 - Matt Elvidge (W), ff

135 - Chris Elvidge (W) pinned Brad Bauters (TV), :25

140 - Zach Sainer (TV) pinned Mixio Gayton (W), 1:34

145 - Andy Keener (W) pinned Joel Kreuger (TV), 3:58

152 - Bobby Derbyshire (W) pinned Jordan Schultz (TV), :26

160 - Dale Wood (W), ff

171 - Tom Lowe (W), ff

189 - Joel Perry (W), ff

215 - Justin Watts (W), ff

275 - Sam Smyth (W) pinned Jason Yoder (TV), :37

WARSAW DEF. KOKOMO 39-30

103 - Johnny Mattson (W) pinned Ross Benedict (Kokomo), 4:12

112 - Ken Nielson (W) pinned Eddie Castro (K), 3:42

119 - Jacob Larmer (K) pinned Andrew Lauster (W), 1:43

125 - Anthony Hobbs (K) pinned Nick Missos (W), :32

130 - Matt Elvidge (W), def. Rico Duke, 11-1, maj.

135 - Chris Elvidge (W) def. Josh Dunson (K), 5-4

140 - Ryan Thomas (K) pinned Mixio Gayton (W), 3:28

145 - Andy Keener (W) def. Alex Holofchak (K) , 7-6

152 - Bobby Derbyshire (W) def. Kyle Fluck (K), 4-1

160 - Dale Wood (W) def. Kollin Nottingham (K), 11-2, maj.

171 - Tom Lowe (W) pinned Matt Moloch (K), 1:04

189 - Joel Perry (W) def. Pat McCrumb (K), 13-3, maj.

215 - Kevin Wendell (K) pinned Justin Watts (W), :14

275 - Andrew Durham (K) pinned Sam Smyth (W), 2:08

WARSAW DEF. TRITON 57-18

103 - Johnny Mattson (W), ff

112 - Ken Nielson (W), ff

119 - Andrew Lauster (W), ff

125 - Callie Prater (Triton) pinned Nick Missos (W), :56

130 - Matt Elvidge (W), ff

135 - Chris Elvidge (W) pinned Matt Woodward (T), :44

140 - Mixio Gayton (W) def. Tyson Horter (T), 7-1

145 - Andy Keener (W), ff

152 - Bobby Derbyshire (W) pinned Adam Ulmer (T), 3:06

160 - Dale Wood (W), ff

171 - Tom Lowe (W), pinned Chad Ulmer (T), :15

189 - Joel Perry (W), ff

215 - Zac Chittum (T) pinned Justin Watts (W), :39

275 - Ed Bragg (T) pinned Sam Smyth (W), 2:48 [[In-content Ad]]