Cael Black and Eisenhower earned a hard-fought road win over Cochranton on Thursday.

COCHRANTON, Pa. – The first month of the season couldn’t have gone much better for the Eisenhower wrestling team.

With a 44-28 win in an amped atmosphere at Cochranton, the Knights finished their greuling two week start to the season with a 3-1 overall record, 3-0 in Region 3, and a fifth place finish at the prestigious STWOA Tournament. They go into the holiday break riding a big wave of momentum.

But to get there, Eisenhower first had to overcome a Cochranton team looking to put a big notch in its belt.

“Cochranton was ready to go,” Eisenhower coach Kris Black said. “You could tell by the atmosphere when we walked in. They were looking to battle it out and our kids met the challenge.”

Gannon Jaquay got the Knights started on the right foot with an 11-3 major decision over Willis Morrell at 132 pounds.

“Gannon starting (the match) as a freshman and getting a major was really big,” Black said. “He wrestled a sound, smart match.”

Justin Boozer got the points right back for the Cardinals with a major decision at 138 pounds. Garrett Head put the Knights back up with a second period pin at 145.

Nate Holt and Stetson Boozer were tied in their 152-pound match when Holt was forced to injury default.

With the match tied at 10-10, Alex Barnett got crucial bonus points for the Knights at 160 with an 11-3 major decision over Caleb Brown.

Ethan Chambers followed with arguably his best outing of the young season. The 170-pounder was down 5-2 when he thought he had a takedown of Lauden Gledhill. The official called the takedown a slam, putting Chambers in an even bigger hole. Chambers kept battling and found a way to grab a 9-8 decision to push the Knights lead to 17-10.

“He just kept coming,” Black said. “He’s the type of kid you want to have on your team. He wants to win no matter what and will give you every ounce of energy and ability he has.

“I’m really proud of him,” he continued. “I really believe you could’ve put Hulk Hogan out there tonight and he was going to get the takedown he needed. He got up and looked at me (after the slam call) and I knew he was going to win. He’s a gamer. It’s one of those things you can’t coach, it’s instinctive. It was a big swing match and he did a great job.”

Brandon Richter got the momentum to start swinging to the Cardinals with a pinfall win at 182 to pull them within one at 17-16.

Cael Black quickly shifted things back in Eisenhower’s favor with a 24-second pin at 195. Joe Bauer’s forfeit win tacked on another six points to put the Knights ahead 29-16.

The Boozer brothers completed the family sweep of the Knights with Dalton’s pinfall victory at 285. The teams traded forfeits at 106 and 113.

Easton Hedman sealed Eisenhower’s match win with a dramatic victory at 120 pounds. Hedman trailed Steven Martinek 4-2 after the first period, and 5-2 heading into the third. Hedman got the escape and takedown in the third to tie it at 5-5 and send the match to overtime. He then grabbed a takedown for a 7-5 win.

“Easton sealed it for us,” Black said. “They bumped (Martinek) up to 120. Easton battled through sickness and being sore and found a way to get it done.”

Jake Williams sent the Knights into the break in emphatic fashion. He trailed Shane Peterson 4-1 after the first period and 9-1 after the second. Fighting to the end, Williams got a takedown in the third and put Peterson on his back for a pinfall victory to end the match.

“Jake put the icing on the cake,” Black said. “That’s a quality kid he beat there.”

Eisenhower now gets a chance to rest, heal and focus on improvements as they head into the second part of the season. They’ll have almost two full weeks without a match before they welcome Cambridge Springs for a Region 3 dual Jan. 2.

“We’re getting the break at the perfect time,” Black said. “The guys are a little tired and beat up. I think we’ll have a little fun (Friday) night and then get back to work Saturday.”

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Results

132: Gannon Jaquay (E) maj. dec. Willis Morrell, 11-3

138: Justin Boozer (C) maj. dec. Josh Bortz, 11-2

145: Garrett Head (E) pin Brendan Ace, 2:44

152: Stetson Boozer (C) injury def. Nate Holt

160: Alex Barnett (E) maj. dec. Caleb Brown, 11-3

170: Ethan Chambers (E) dec. Louden Gledhill, 9-8

182: Brandon Richter (C) pin Tristen Wilcox, 3:21

195: Cael Black (E) pin John Benninger, 0:24

220: Joe Bauer (E) via forfeit

285: Dalton Boozer (C) pin Jesse Gourley, 1:54

106: Jack Martinek (C) via forfeit

113: Logan Jaquay (E) via forfeit

120: Easton Hedman (E) dec. Steven Martinek, 7-5 OT

126: Jake Williams (E) pin Shane Peterson, 4:37

– – – 

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS 65, YOUNGSVILLE 6

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, Pa. – Youngsville wrestling went on the road and fell to a very good Cambridge Springs team, 65-6.

Sam Hoover picked up a win via pin for the Eagles over the Blue Devils’ Adam Lesuer at 220 in 5:17.

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120: No Contest

126: Ayden Miller (C) tech fall Collin Clough, 21-4 4:52

132: Chase Beck (C) won by forfeit

138: Tye Varndell (C) won by forfeit

145: Jared Jones (C) won by forfeit

152: Colton Smith (C) won by forfeit

160: Eli Mosconi (C) pinned Steven Reilly, :22

170: Jackson Carico (C) pinned Nathan Rougeux, 1:15

182: Jordan Miller (C) pinned Damon Reese, 3:30

195: Jacob Jones (C) pinned Deven Morris, :52

220: Sam Hoover (Y) pinned Adam Lesuer, 4:40

285: Jerry Mosconi (C) pinned Jake DeSimone, 5:17

106: No contest

113: Logan Gerow (C) won by forfeit