The Wallowa High School wrestling coach could very well be a fortuneteller.

Before the season started, Mel Byers noted that he had two first-rate competitors in the same weight class – his son, Colby, a junior, and freshman Forrest Cox. He said they would take first and second place at several tournaments. This past Friday at the first meet, the Enterprise Kickoff, Colby faced Cox for the 119-pounders’ championship. Colby won in the second period.

“We were just having fun, messing around,” Cox said. “Then, he wanted to pin me so he pinned me. When we went out there, before the match, he was joking. He said to me, ‘Give me a work out.'”

Cox qualified for the final with his pin fall of Geoff Cseh, a sophomore at Clarkston (Wash.) High School. The match lasted into the final round, when Cox wrapped up his opponent in a hold for the win. Cox said that he had been a little worried that he would struggle at the high school level.

Though this season is Cox’s first in high school, he has competed on the mat since fifth grade. Dan Mickelson, the music teacher, was his wrestling coach for the peewee and junior high teams. Strong moves and quick decisions reflected Cox’s previous experience, which culminated in the knowledge that many freshman are rookies to the sport and can be cautious and awkward.

“You work a lot harder at this level. There’re more techniques,” Cox said. In junior high school, he added, “They tell you what to do if you’re in this position or that one, they teach you the basics plus some moves. But technique is crucial here.”

Cox said he expects to wrestle 112 for the rest of the season. He met the weighing qualifications for the Friday, Nov. 30 meet, but competed at the heavier class.

“I didn’t even realize that this weight class was higher than mine,” he said. “I was focused on wrestling.”

Wallowa’s next meet is schedule for this weekend at La Grande, where they will compete in the Muilenburg Invite.

Contact reporter Hector del Castillo at 426-4567, or e-mail at hdelcastillo@wallowa.com.