CORRY, Pa. – Eisenhower wrestlers shook off a tough loss at Union City Tuesday, and a day’s delay, to deck Corry, 53-18, for a Region 3 win Thursday.

The win assured the Knights a spot in the District 10 duals, and put them in position to host one of the wrestle-in matches. It also demonstrated their resilience as a team.

“Our goal was to get back on the horse and be super aggressive,” Eisenhower assistant coach Dennis Johnson said. “We wanted to make a little statement there.”

Corry (4-3 overall, 3-3 Region 3) got the first points at 195. In what is shaping up to be one of D10’s hottest individual rivalries for the next few years, Hayden Linkerhof scored a late takedown in overtime to get a 3-1 decision over Cael Black. Linkerhof and Black, both freshmen, met in the finals of the Falconer Tournament Saturday. Black got the win there.

“They’re both high caliber competitors,” Johnson said. “Cael needs to be a bit more aggressive.”

Joe Bauer (220) and Jeramy Card (285) both followed with third period pins to put the Knights (5-2, 5-1) ahead 12-3. A forfeit at 106 brought the Beavers back within three, but Logan Jaquay decked Kayden Reyda in the second period to regain the 9-point advantage.

Damion Kinney got a hard-fought, 9-8 decision over Jake Williams at 120 to cut the deficit.

“Williams is right there on the edge,” Johnson said. “He’s been close in a lot of matches.”

Easton Hedman made quick work of Lucas Peterson at 126 to put Eisenhower ahead 24-12. It looked like Derek Hurd was going to get the best of Gannon Jaquay at 132, but the Knights freshman flipped Hurd late for a 5-4 comeback win.

“Gannon was losing most of the match, but he just kept coming and threw the kid on his back,” Johnson said. “That was a freshman doing a good job there.”

Josh Bortz (138), Garrett Head (145) and Nate Holt (152) picked up consecutive pinfall victories, Alex Barnett (160) won via tech fall and Ethan Chambers (170) earned a 2-1 decision, to secure the match win for the Knights.

“Ethan wrestled tough,” Johnson said. “That was good for him.”

Eisenhower hosts Saegertown Wednesday with a lot on the line. The Knights currently hold the second spot in Region 3, but the Panthers are just one back. The winner of Wednesday’s match will secure second place and host a wrestle-in. Playing host has been one of Eisenhower’s team goals all season.

“We wanted to make sure we were 1 or 2,” Johnson said. “We wanted to make sure we could host a wrestle-in.”

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Results

195: Hayden Linkerhof (C) dec. Cael Black, 3-1, OT

220: Joe Bauer (E) pin Shawn Proctor, 5:25

285: Jeramy Card (E) pin Xavier Reyda, 5:54

106: Lucas Munsee (C) via forfeit

113: Logan Jaquay (E) pin Kayden Reyda, 2:55

120: Damion Kinney (C) dec. Jake Williams, 9-8

126: Easton Hedman (E) pin Lucas Peterson, 0:54

132: Gannon Jaquay (E) dec. Derek Hurd, 5-4

138: Josh Bortz (E) pin Hunter Savitz, 2:48

145: Garrett Head (E) pin Brandon Sutton, 0:40

152: Nate Holt (E) pin Brady Steele, 1:45

160: Alex Barnett (E) tech fall Austin Saachetti, 21-6

170: Ethan Chambers (E) dec. Dylan Gourley, 2-1

182: Matt Petrilla (C) pin Tristen Wilcox, 3:50