Jan 24, 2008 By Jim Downey 4 min read

The night started on a positive note for Uniontown with a pair of forfeits, but visiting Laurel Highlands was just too strong for the Red Raiders Wednesday night for a 54-24 Section 2-AAA road victory. Uniontown scored its first point of the match, which began at 103 pounds, in the 171-pound bout, and was the only lead the Red Raiders held.

Uniontown’s lone non-forfeit victory came at 215 when Torrey Witt battled back from a deficit to get Freddy Zeigler on his back for a fall at 4:36. The bout was close throughout, but Witt was not able to get ahead until the pin.

The match-up at 215 pounds was one of many moves made by both coaches throughout the match.

“We wanted to get Torrey on another kid for the experience,” Uniontown coach Mike Simon said of his moving Witt.

After Uniontown’s Ken Seliga (103) and Brittney Kulenovic (112) were awarded forfeits, Damian Walters opened the scoring for the Mustangs with a fall at 4:46 against Courtney Merschat. The Red Raiders’ Rich Roby won by forfeit at 125, but it was all Laurel Highlands after that.

“It was a little bit of strategy in the middle of the lineup,” said Laurel Highlands coach Chris Edenfield of forfeiting the early bouts. “We had the luxury of doubling up at some weights.”

Andy Vue started the run for Laurel Highlands with a forfeit at 130 pounds. Angelo Brink won by fall at 135, and Ken Wontroba recorded a forfeit at 140. The Mustangs’ Mike Mari shut out Jerry Wilson, 12-0, for a major decision at 145, and Nick Browne won by fall in just 50 seconds at 152.

“Browne is tough to beat at 152. He might surprise some people. Holt needs to pick it up. I think the 152-pounders are the best in the section,” said Simon.

Laurel Highlands’ Zack Breakiron built a 13-0 lead on Levi Merschat at 160 pounds, but the Uniontown grappler had the better of the action in the final two minutes. Breakiron managed to stay off his back and hold Merschat at bay for a major decision.

The 171-pound bout between Laurel Highlands’ Matt Perdue and the Red Raiders’ Rich Hall was spirited from the start with the two grapplers exchanging penalty points early in the bout. Perdue led 9-3 after the first period, and extended his lead to the final result in the next four minutes. Despite the heightened action, neither wrestler scored in the final period.

The Mustangs’ Zack Breakiron won by forfeit at 189, and Eric Minerd wrapped up the Mustangs’ first victory with a fall in 38 seconds at heavyweight.

Both coaches were looking for improvement, with the intention of getting some momentum with the Section 2-AAA tournament looming in the near future on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Hempfield.

“I was pleased with the way we wrestled. We had our best week of practice,” said Edenfield. “This is the time you want to be clicking.

“Adding Zane and Zack Breakiron helps. Anytime you bring someone back like them to the lineup, it’s a bonus.”

Laurel Highlands has a section match at home next week with McKeesport and will finish with Washington, time Edenfield needs for his Mustangs.

“They’re young. We’re still in the learning process,” said Edenfield.

Simon thought his Red Raiders would put up a better struggle, especially coming off a decent performance against Connellsville.

“We tell them to make sure you wrestle the best match you’ve wrestled this year. We competed against Connellsville,” said Simon. “Laurel Highlands’ guys have experience and it shows.

“We make the same mistakes over and over. We’re working on basic things with the kids. Some have little mat experience. Some of the kids are frustrated at this point of the season. We have to get these guys mat time.”