PRINEVILLE – The Roseburg wrestling team overcame a slow start to edge out Crook County, the top-ranked team in the 4A classification, 35-28 in a non-league dual on Saturday.

The Indians dropped their first three matches against wrestlers ranked in the top two of their weight class and fell behind the Cowboys 15-0. Roseburg scored its first points of the dual when top-ranked Layne Van Anrooy won by technical fall (22-7) over No. 3 ranked Trey Shores.

Van Anrooy’s win sparked a rally by Roseburg. Brandon Jeffers pinned his opponent at 170 lbs. to make the score 15-11. Crook County pulled back ahead 22-11, but the tide would turn down the stretch.

Junior Haydn Maley made his return to the mats after sitting out the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury. Maley beat No. 4 ranked Brogan Howard to begin Roseburg’s comeback. Will Reddekopp followed with a 6-0 win to cut the Indians’ deficit to 22-20.

At the lower weight classes, Hunter Sparks (106 lbs.) and Austin David (113 lbs.) both pinned their opponents to give Roseburg a 32-28 lead. Junior Shane Sabins then sealed the victory with an 11-9 win over No. 5 ranked Zach Lawson.

The win is retribution for the Indians, who lost to Crook County in a dual at Roseburg High School last season and also finished behind the Cowboys for the team title at the Reser’s Tournament of Champions this season.

Roseburg’s JV squad also won against the Cowboys. The Indians won five matches by fall to claim a 55-12 victory.

Up next, Roseburg heads to Springfield on Friday for the district meet, held at Thurston High School.

– Joey Keeran | joey@bciradio.com | @joeykeeran