Mapletown wrestlers get better of J-M again, 45-30
GREENSBORO 鈥� For the second straight season, the Mapletown wrestling squad got the better of its Greene County rivalry with a 45-30 victory over Jefferson-Morgan last Wednesday night in Section 2-AA (2-A) action.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 good for our program to beat Jefferson,鈥� Mapletown coach Chris Shilk said. 鈥淭hey have a top-notch program and I think Mike Lesko is one of the best coaches in the area. There蘑菇视频 always that natural rivalry with them and everyone knows everyone. There are no secrets between us and it蘑菇视频 a nice feather in our cap to win.鈥�
The win evens the Maples鈥� overall and section record at 2-2, as the home team won on the strength of four pins, three forfeits and one decision.
鈥淲e are getting better every week,鈥� Shilk said. 鈥淲e had two ringers to start the season with matches against McGuffey and Beth-Center. We took our lumps and the kids kept on working hard through the growing pains.鈥�
After losing to non-section foe Carrick, 41-39, on Tuesday night, the Rockets (0-4, 0-3) continued their losing skid and are struggling with depth.
鈥淲e had too many forfeits tonight and got pinned too many times,鈥� J-M coach Mike Lesko said. 鈥淥ur 106-pounder was out tonight and that cost us six points. We didn鈥檛 win the (coin) flip and if we would have won that it would have been a little closer. We gave up too many bonus points. Give Mapletown蘑菇视频 kids a lot of credit.鈥�
Before the match started, there was a moment of silence for Mapletown蘑菇视频 youth wrestling coach Craig Johnson, who unexpectedly passed away in the fall.
Mapletown jumped out to an early 18-0 lead three matches into the night, courtesy of a first period pin by Brandon Smotzer at 170 and two forfeits to Tristan Franks (182) and Gavin Uphold (195).
J-M got on the scoreboard with a first period pin by Louie Hunyada at 220, but the Maples countered that fall with a pin by Tanner Weston at 285.
鈥淭anner is a two-year starter and he has developed into a nice athlete for us,鈥� Shilk said. 鈥淲e felt pretty strong that if we bumped Tanner up a weight class he could get the pin for us. He is a relentless worker and is always improving.鈥�
After there was no bout at 106, the Rockets trimmed the deficit to 24-18 after Hunter Journic received a forfeit at 113 pounds and Mason Palmer registered a first period pin at 120.
Battling through cramps, Mapletown蘑菇视频 Caleb Reynolds was able to withstand the pain to secure a second period pin at 126.
鈥淐aleb has had some time in and out of the practice room this season,鈥� Shilk said. 鈥淗is conditioning isn鈥檛 quite there yet and he is battling that at the moment. He had some cramps and had some dehydration issues after cutting some weight. I was really impressed that he was not only able to finish the match, but was able to get the pin.鈥�
The Maples increased its lead to 33-18 after a 6-3 decision by Brian Brady at 132.
Gavin Teasdale collected a first period pin at 138 pounds and the junior is now two wins shy of 100 for his career.
At 145, J-M蘑菇视频 Aaron Mylan garnered a hard-fought third period pin to make it 33-30.
鈥淎aron is in shape and I think he can go 10 minutes,鈥� Lesko said. 鈥淗e does cross country in the fall and has a lot of stamina on the mat. He was working his butt off and finally got the half working for the pin.鈥�
Leading by three points with two bouts to go, the Maples grabbed the final 12 points of the evening with a first period pin by Kevin Hayes at 152 and a forfeit to Seth Shubert at 160.
J-M hosts McGuffey on Friday in section action, while Mapletown will participate in the Burgettstown Tournament over the weekend.