Knights earn tough win over Saegertown
Eisenhower fought off fatigue and continued the momentum gained from the North East Wrestling Classic with a 43-29 win over visiting Saegertown Monday.
The Knights (6-1 overall, 6-1 Region 3) rallied from a 15-0 deficit to pick up the win.
“Saegertown always has a good team,” Eisenhower coach Kris Black said. “It’s nice to come out on the winning end of one of these (close matches).”
Kenny Kiser opened things for Saegertown (3-4, 3-4) with a pinfall victory over Josh Bortz at 126 pounds.
The 132-pound matchup took match of the night honors. Saegertown’s Dawson Bartholomew and Eisenhower’s Nate Holt needed an extra period to decide things.
Bartholomew got the first takedown, but Holt was quick to escape. Holt was able to get a takedown of his own as the first period was winding down, but Bartholomew just managed to break free before time expired and the grapplers went into the second tied at 3-3. Holt began the second in the down position and Bartholomew was able to earn a pair of backpoints late to take a 5-3 lead into the third. Holt again began the period in the down position and managed to reverse with 10 seconds left. Bartholomew nearly escaped as time expired, but the official ruled Holt still had control and the match went to overtime. Bartholomew was able to reverse a Holt shot and earn the takedown to come away with a 7-5 decision.
Colten Beck decked Sam Holt in 2:53 at 138 to push the Panthers lead to 15-0.
After dominating for most of the first two periods, Garrett Head was finally able to get Matt Posego’s shoulders to the mat to put the Knights on the board with a pinfall at 145.
Spencer Head wasted little time doubling the point total, earning a pin in just 20 seconds at 152.
Alex Barnett gave Eisenhower its first lead of the night when he decked Taylor Luikart in 1:47 at 160.
Ethan Chambers battled Mason McClure at 170. Chambers held a slim 4-3 advantage late in the third, but was able to get a takedown to secure a 6-3 decision and give Eisenhower a 21-15 advantage.
“That was big,” Black said. “You look at the score and that was a big deal.”
Cody Mulligan put down Justin Hagberg in 2:24 at 182 to tie it at 21-21 before Matt Huling won via forfeit to put the Knights right back on top, 27-21.
They wouldn’t trail again.
Joey Bauer nearly had Austin Kimmel on his back at 220, but came away with a 10-1 major decision.
Brandon Gourley battled Drake Hazelett for the full six minutes, but came up just short. Hazelett’s escape after starting in the down position in the third period was the only score of the match as he won with a 1-0 decision.
Black said he was happy with the way Gourley wrestled despite the loss.
“Brandon was in a position to win at the end,” he said. “He wrestled a good match.”
Gourley’s been wrestling “smarter” as the season progresses, Black added.
“He’s the biggest team player,” Black said. “He didn’t put himself in a bad position”
Logan Jaquay picked up a 31-second pin over David Deets at 106 to give the Knights a 37-24 lead and put the match out of reach.
Alex Kightlinger defeated Easton Hedman via tech fall at 113 and Jake Williams pinned Madison Mondi in a minute to close out the meet.
Eisenhower can wrap up a second-place finish in Region 3 with a win at Iroquios Wednesday.
Eisenhower 43, Saegertown 29
126: Kenny Kiser (S) pin Josh Bortz, 1:33
132: Dawson Bartholomew (S) dec. Nate Holt, 7-5 OT
138: Colten Beck (S) pin Sam Holt, 2:53
145: Garrett Head (E) pin Matt Posego, 4:32
152: Spencer Head (E) pin Dominic Steiger, :20
160: Alex Barnett (E) pin Taylor Luikart, 1:47
170: Ethan Chambers dec. Mason McClure, 6-3
182: Cody Mulligan (S) pin Justin Hagberg, 2:24
195: Matt Huling (E) via forfeit
220: Josef Bauer (E) maj. dec. Austin Kimmel, 10-1
285: Drake Hazelett (S) dec. Brandon Gourley, 1-0
106: Logan Jaquay (E) pin David Deets, :31
113: Alex Kightlinger (S) tech fall Easton Hedman, 17-2
120: Jake Williams (E) pin Madison Mondi, 1:00
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