Warren left the outcome in doubt to the very last bout during Thursday's wrestling match with Cathedral Prep, before ultimately dropping a tight 39-34 decision to the Ramblers at Warren Area High School.
"We're still a little rough around the edges as far as our technique goes," said Warren coach Glenn Baldensperger. "This first week (including Tuesday's win at Meadville) has given us a good look at the things we need to work on and we've got one day to improve before Saturday (at the Falconer Duals). The biggest thing we need to do right now is improve every day."
Thursday's match got off to a nice start for Warren with 220-pounder Alex Streich and heavyweight Kevin Barsness receiving forfeits to put the hosts on top, 12-0. However, after the next two weight classes, the Ramblers had rallied back to tie things at 12-12.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Allen Seybert
Winning look
Warren’s Derek Reagle sneaks a quick look at the scoreboard in the closing seconds of his 9-4 decision victory over Cathedral Prep’s John Wegley in the 170-pound bout of Thursday’s wrestling match at Warren Area High School. The freshman was impressive in the hard-fought victory (celebrating, inset), but the Dragons lost the match, 39-34.
First, Cameron Ciotti pinned Warren's Glyn Mahood at 106 pounds and the Dragons had to forfeit the 113-pound bout.
Cathedral Prep took control of the match during the next two weight classes before 132-pound sophomore D.J. Fehlman stopped the bleeding with a dominant 14-2 major decision victory. Baldensperger said the victory was especially impressive considering the fact that Fehlman's opponent, John Ciotti, was a PIAA qualifier last season.
With Warren down 24-16, the Ramblers stretched their advantage by earning pins at 138 and 145 pounds. Those victories pushed the Prep lead to 36-16 with just five weight classes remaining.
The Dragons had one more run left in the tank and would go on to win the next four weight classes, closing in to as close as two points.
First, Garrett Smead wrestled a smart match at 152 pounds, using a late reversal to earn a 6-4 decision victory over Connor Wurst. The Dragons earned another win at 160 pounds when Cody Gunn was awarded a victory by injury default. Gunn trailed his match 2-1 before his opponent, Mike Gromacki was forced to retire with an apparent shoulder injury.
At 170 pounds, freshman Derek Reagle continued his impressive start to the year with a 9-4 win over the Ramblers' John Wegley. Reagle led 5-4 late in the second period before earning a reversal and two back points in the closing seconds of the period.
The turning point in the match came at 182 pounds. Warren sent Chris McNeal to the mat and Prep chose to offer a forfeit rather than send its final wrestler, Phillip Selker, to the mat.
The forfeit brought the Dragons to within 36-34 and Selker was instead bumped up to face Warren's 195-pounder Stephen Crone.
Crone gave a valiant effort, but ultimately dropped a 7-2 decision to Selker, giving the Ramblers the victory.
Warren (1-1) returns to action Saturday when it competes at the Falconer Duals.
Cathedral Prep 39, Warren 34
220: Alex Streich (W) wbf.
285: Kevin Barsness (W) wbf.
106: Cameron Ciotti (C) p. Glyn Mahood (W), 1:56
113: Ta'Naz Gregory (C) wbf.
120: Jacob Gromacki (C) p. Seth Johnson (W), 3:35
126: Alex Root (C) p. Jason Peterson (W), 0:52
132: D.J. Fehlman (W) md. John Ciotti (C), 14-2
138: Andrew Hutzel (C) p. Jonah Hordusky (W), 5:16
145: Teagan O'Sullivan (C) p. Michael Card (W), 2:58
152: Garrett Smead (W) d. Connor Wurst (C), 6-4
160: Cody Gunn (W) inj. def. Mike Gromacki (C)
170: Derek Reagle (W) d. John Wegley (C), 9-4
182: Chris McNeal (W) wbf.
195: Phillip Selker (C) d. Stephen Crone (W), 7-2
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Sheffield 43, Oswayo Valley 33
SHINGLEHOUSE - Sheffield's wrestling team won its second match this week - improving to 5-2 overall - with a 43-33 Allegheny Mountain League win at Oswayo Valley on Thursday.
"It's a good (measuring stick)," said Sheffield coach Jack Rice, whose team already has more wins this season than all of last season. "We actually lost to these guys pretty bad the last two years. I'm pretty proud of these guys."
Rice said a couple of wrestlers "had to bump up" in weight class, and handled themselves well.
Ricky Prosen earned a major decision at 120 pounds and Sheffield earned three forfeit wins in the first four matches to take a big 22-0 lead.
Later on, Doug Grubbs bumped up from 138 to 145 to earn a 4-0 decision and 31-6 Sheffield lead. Steve Gregerson followed with a 49-second pin at 152, and, two matches later, Zach Burdette sealed the team win with a third-period pin at 171.
Collin Maines bumped up to 160 to help the team win - the luxury of moving wrestlers around is something Rice has by having nearly every weight class covered.
"Hopefully we can continue (to compete)," said Rice, whose team forfeited just one weight class to Oswayo's four.
Sheffield 43, Oswayo Valley 33
106: Tanner Barr (S) wbf.
113: Kyle Holden (S) wbf.
120: Ricky Prosen (S) maj. dec. Trenton James, 11-0.
126: Brandon Johnston (S) wbf.
132: Zach Fitzsimmons (O) p. Jason Rulander, 2:55.
138: Paul Byers (S) wbf.
145: Doug Grubbs (S) dec. Daniel Mehl, 4-0.
152: Steve Gregerson (S) p. Justin Miller, :49.
160: Sam Colebert (O) p. Collin Maines, 3:00.
171: Zach Burdette (S) p. Shawn Cashmere, 4:43.
182: Alex Miller (O) p. Dylan Straw, 3:38.
195: Jake Wichert (O) wbf.
220: Nate Rogers (O) dec. Tyler Bertin, 4-2.
HWT: Aaron Green (O) p. Jeremy Ehrgott 1:27