Rocket wrestlers edge Bearcats, 40-34
JEFFERSON — Jefferson-Morgan picked up three key pins and took advantage of some forfeits to upend Bentworth, 40-34, Wednesday night for its first Section 2-AA (2A) win this season.
After dropping their section opener to McGuffey last week, the Rockets (2-1, 1-1) evened their section record and coach Mike Lesko was happy with the progress of the team.
“Anytime you can win a section match is a good night,” Lesko said. “We lost the flip and I was a little bit worried, but I think our kids were ready tonight. If all of their kids were healthy (for Bentworth) this could have been a nail-biter. Both of these teams know each other so well and I think there’s always that natural rivalry.”
The Bearcats (1-2, 1-1) had two pins, a major decision and received three forfeits. Bentworth was dealing with some injuries in its normal lineup, and couldn’t pick up the key points.
“There are no excuses tonight,” Bentworth coach Mike Shrader said. “Unfortunately, we had four guys that couldn’t go tonight due to various injuries. If we had a full lineup, then who knows, the outcome might be different. Give J-M a lot of credit tonight.”
The contest started at 120, and the Bearcats went up 6-0 after a second-period pin by Manny Dovshek in 3:23.
“Manny has been one of our better guys this season,” Shrader said. “Most nights he would wrestle longer and try to get more points. But with the team in mind, we needed him to get the pin and the six points. It was a good fight and it was huge to go up early.”
The Rockets countered with 28 straight points over the next five matches.
Alex Lange snagged a 13-5 major decision at 126.
“Lange is looking good for us so far,” Lesko said. “He is a freshman, but I don’t think the bright lights or the pressures of varsity wrestling are getting to him. He does need to open up a little more. He is solid, but I can see a lot of potential with him.”
Sandwiched around two forfeit wins for the home team, Josh Agnew at 132 and Nathan Bilonick at 145, was a first-period pin by Gavin Teasdale at 138.
Teasdale improved his career record to 129-0. The three-time PIAA champion needs 27 wins to tie the school record.
“I was glad that Gavin got to see mat time tonight and I tip my hat to Bentworth,” Lesko said. “They could have easily forfeited. For Gavin, nothing has changed. He is taking it one night at a time and understands what he is up against. It should be very interesting for him at the Powerade (Christmas Tournament on Dec. 29-30). If everybody comes in at their projected weight, there’s going to be some stiff competition for him.”
In the match of the night, J-M’s Hunter Thistlethwaite secured a third-period pin at 152 after trailing 7-5 going into the final period. Thistlethwaite notched the pin at 4:35.
“Hunter is a sophomore and this was his first match of the season,” Lesko said. “He really came through with a big pin for us. He is a lot stronger that what he looks, he is very deceiving with his strength. I really liked his conditioning tonight.”
After a forfeit to Bentworth’s Brady Earley at 160, the Rockets made it 40-12 when Justin Maddish (170) and Kolin Walker (182) received forfeits.
The Bearcats rattled off the final 22 points, starting with a 17-5 major decision by John Vargo (195) and a first-period pin at 1:23 by Ashton Lopez (285).
“Both Vargo and Lopez practice with each other and I think that makes them better,” Shrader said. “They push each other and both have come a long, long way for us. We are not quite where we want to be this season, but both of those guys will put in the work.”
Larry Comite (106) and Bryce Hook (113) tallied forfeits. There was no match at 220.