Colonials pick up first victory over Red Raiders
Dave Rafferty
Uniontown’s Nathan Spinetti handles Albert Gallatin’s John Phillips in the 285-pound weight class at Albert Gallatin. Spinetti went on to win the match 3-2.
Uniontown's Nathan Spinetti is taken down by Albert Gallatin's John Phillips in the 285-pound weight class at Colonial gym, Spinetti went on to win the match 3-2.
YORK RUN — Albert Gallatin picked up its first victory this season following a 60-15 win Wednesday night over Section 2-AAA rival Uniontown.
The Red Raiders (0-1) started off well when senior Nathan Spinetti picked up a 3-2 decision over John Phillips at 285.
With the match tied at 1-1 and appearing to head for overtime, Spinetti used a bear hug on the edge of the mat for a 3-1 lead with 13 seconds remaining.
Phillips escaped, but couldn’t secure the takedown as Spinetti avenged an earlier loss in the year.
After a scoreless first period that saw Spinetti come close to scoring two takedowns, Phillips escaped from the bottom position to take a 1-0 lead in the second.
Spinetti chose bottom in the third, and scored an early escape to tie the score.
“It was a good match between Nathan and Phillips,” Uniontown coach Mark Jenkins said. “They have wrestled twice already this season and will most likely see each other again. I thought Nathan did a good job of pushing the action.”
There wasn’t a match at 106 and Albert Gallatin’s Jarred Lindsay picked up a forfeit at 113 to give the Colonials a 6-3 lead.
The Red Raiders’ Bubbie Jenkins picked up a forfeit at 120 for a 9-6 Uniontown advantage before AG’s Brady Howell (126) and Schuyler Moncheck (132) won by forfeit.
Matt Walters gave the Colonials a 24-9 advantage with a fall over Uniontown’s Bobby Newman in 1:23.
Walters came out aggressive, but Newman was able to score the first takedown. Walters reversed Newman to his back for the fall.
“We battled hard out there tonight,” Albert Gallatin coach Duane Dupont said. “We were glad to get some kids out there. The match between Spinetti and Phillips was a nice battle. Those two will wrestle a few more times this season. It was nice to get our first section win.”
Collin Smith (145), William Walters (152), Alex Martin (160), Scotty Vernon (170), Justin Kalbaugh (195) and Donovan Miller (220) picked up forfeits for the Colonials.
The Red Raiders’ Jimmy Wilson won by forfeit at 170.
Both coaches paired up wrestles in exhibition matches to get the kids more mat time.
Uniontown’s Billy Seliga won by fall in an exhibition match over Albert Gallatin’s Lindsay in the second period. Jenkins pinned the Colonials Kody Valentine in the first and Wilson pinned Vernon in the first.
“It was nice to get those kids some mat time,” Dupont said. “We have to keep working and get ready for Powerade.”
Despite the loss, Jenkins was pleased with his team’s effort.
“Billy, But and Jimmy are younger guys, but they have some talent,” Jenkins said. “We are gearing up for the Southmoreland tournament. Nathan was second there last season. They have about 30 teams there. It’s a nice tournament.”