A packed house witnessed Eastlake North top rival Willoughby South in a Dual at the School on Wednesday, 50-27.
The Rangers won six of 10 matches wrestled and picked up three forfeits in the win.
“We’re starting to click,” said North coach Sean Jackson. “I’m their third coach in three years and I know it’s been pretty stressful for them. I’ve been trying to be patient to get everybody on the same page and the last couple of practices we’ve had have been really good. The kids have been working hard and I’m looking forward to closing out the season and seeing how far we can get some of these guys.”
North started the match leading 12-0 thanks to Owen Hoernig and Tempe Martinez picking up forfeits at 106 and 113, respectively.
The Rebels cut their deficit in half when Casey Burns recorded a pin at 120, but Kolt Karovich pinned South’s Ryan Scott at 126 to push the lead to 18-6.
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South’s Tyler Hollingsworth pinned North’s Brandon Bedworth at 132 but North’s Drake Martinez recorded a 19-2 technical fall at 138, leaving North ahead 23-12.
Tommy Rini gave the Rebels another win when he defeated Killian Clarke, 7-1, at 144 pounds but North’s Rion Dancy-Toma responded with a pin at 150.
Trailing 29-15, South’s Sam Leskiewicz pinned to win at 157 and the Rebels claimed a forfeit at 165 to pull to within 29-27, but that’s as close as they’d get as North won the final four weight classes.
Miles Sullivan recorded a pin at 175, Timmy Jesenovec received a forfeit at 190, and Cash Pemberton defeated Michael Manzi, 9-8, at 215.
Michael Belanich added an exclamation point to the win with his pin at 285.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Jackson said. “South weight in some kids that didn’t actually wrestle, so we were going back and forth with what to choose, odd or even, and we had to make quick decisions on what kid to send out. It was good for the kids, I’m sure they enjoyed it.”
NORTH 50, SOUTH 27
106: Owen Hoernig (N) by forfeit; 113: Tempe Martinez (N) by forfeit; 120: Casey Burns (S) pinned Ben Russ; 126: Kolt Karovich (N) pinned Ryan Scott; 132: Tyler Hollingsworth (S) pinned Brandon Bedworth; 138 Drake Martinez (N) tech fall Keanu Kreiner, 19-2; 144: Tommy Rini (S) dec. Killian Clarke, 7-1; 150: Rion Dancy-Toma (N) pinned Mason Gumto; 157: Sam Leskiewicz (S) pinned Michael Darroch; 165 Cooper Fiebig (S) by forfeit; 175: Miles Sullivan (N) pinned Berardinelli; 190: Timmy Jesenovec (N) by forfeit; 215: Cash Pemberton (N) dec. Michael Manzi, 9-8; 285: Michael Belanich (N) pinned Combs.
