Panthers Too Much for HC
All but one Buckeye Local win came by fall
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CONNORVILLE -- Buckeye Local wrestling coach Willie Saxton has been stressing to his team the importance of bonus points, not just in tournaments but in dual meets, as well.
Wednesday night the Panthers took Saxton's ideas to heart as they won seven of the eight matches contested against visiting Harrison Central for a convincing, 54-18, victory on the home mats. All but one of Buckeye Local's victories came by pin, the other was a major decision.
"I'm happy with the outcome. We've been talking to the kids about getting pins, major decisions or technical falls. It's all about bonus points," Saxton said. "Bonus points in duals are big, big, big.
"Everyone impressed me (Wednesday). We came out and wrestled strong. We're battling through some sicknesses right now, so everyone looked good (Wednesday). It was a total team effort."
The Panthers held an 18-12 lead after junior standout Brian Palmer Jr. (138) was awarded one of three forfeits, but five consecutive pins -- all in the second period -- led to a 48-12 margin and the lop-sided triumph.
Danny Nation (145) kicked off the pin-spree when he overcame a 5-0 deficit after one period against the Huskies' Austin Howard. With both grapplers on their feet to start the second period, Nation secured a quick takedown that led to a pin in 2:53.
"That was a big win for us," Saxton said. "The Howard kid is tough and when they bumped him up there to 145, I thought it would be a challenge for Danny. He succeeded for sure."
Ayden Krupinski trailed Nik Evans 6-4 after one period in their 152-pound bout, but, like Nation, he quickly turned the tide in the second period, knotting the score before recording a pin in 3:11.
Dylan Palmer (160) continued the Panthers streak when he snapped a 2-all deadlock after one period before winning by fall in 3:23.
"Dylan wrestled tough (Wednesday)," Saxton said. "He decided to come out this year, and he looked good."
Tyler Donahue (170) led Dawson Vich 8-0 before pinning him in 3:57 as the margin grew to 42-12.
Charles Smith completed the pin-for-all when he took down Hayden Wallace in 3:03.
The teams traded forfeits as Huskies' John Wagner (195) had his had raised as did the Panthers' Alexio Morales (220).
Buckeye Local's Zac Cesario (285) earned a 9-1 major decision over Dillon Drapp.
"The thing I love about Zac is that wherever we need him, he'll go out and compete," Saxton said. "Everyone is like that. That's what I love about this team."
Harrison Central actually led 6-0 when Aiden Raber (106) rebounded from a rough start to earn a pin in 1:32 over Logan Dentz. He trailed 5-0 early but never gave up.
"Very proud of Aiden. He just joined the team a couple of weeks ago. He's a freshman who hasn't wrestled in nearly five years," Harrison Central coach Bill Bryant said. "He came out and battled. He fought through adversity by giving up the takedown and back points, but he got a reversal and a pin in the lone match that we won that was earned."
Buckeye Local's Travis Light (126) had the quickest pin of the night when he flattened Sergio Lopez in 54 seconds.
Gabe Marbais (132) also received a forfeit for the Huskies. Also winning by forfeit for Buckeye Local was Trevor Herbert (113).
Buckeye Local is idle until the Wheeling Park Duals on Friday, Dec. 27 at WesBanco Arena. Meanwhile, Harrison Central welcomes Shenandoah to Cadiz Friday for a 1 p.m. assembly match.