The McMurray Middle School wrestling team battled a team from Mountain View in Bremerton on Feb. 8 and one from Woodward on Bainbridge Island on Feb. 12.

In contested matches, the Mustangs beat both teams on the mat.

However, the McMurray team had to forfeit several of the 17 weight classes at those meets and thus suffered team losses on both days.

Head Coach Corey McIntyre saw much wrestler improvement even between the two meets four days apart, he said.

Against Woodward, the McMurray team had 10 pins, one technical fall and two losses in varsity and exhibition action.

Mustang standouts so far this season include Shane Armstrong with four pins, Joey Di Fabio with three pins and Ryan O’Grady with two pins.

Also coaching the 18-grappler Mustang team are co-head coach Anders Blomgren, Mike Mattingly, B.J. Nelson, Ken Berger, Shawn Gateman, Kevin Delargy and Per-Lars Blomgren.

The McMurray wrestling team’s next event is on Feb. 22 at Mountain View in Bremerton, followed by a match Feb. 25 at Klahowya Middle School.

— Marian Easton is the mother of Pirate wrestler Robert Easton.