Seymour wrestlers end drought against North

0

For The Tribune

According to Seymour coach Todd Weaver, his team had not beaten Columbus North since most of his wrestlers were in diapers.

On Thursday, his Owls ended that drought, coming to North and claiming a 40-24 victory.

The win also was Seymour’s 18th of the year, the most in school history.

“It was a big win for us,” Weaver said. “This was one of those dragons that we slayed this year. I am pretty sure we have not beaten Columbus North in 15 or more years. A lot went on for us tonight personally.”

Things were tight through the first four matches, with Seymour taking an early 9-6 lead. Josh Larson got the Bull Dogs’ first win at 182 with an 8-2 win against John Newton. At 195, Seymour’s Dalton Miller and Columbus North Cortez Bandy went back-and-forth, but Miller grabbed a two-point takedown in the closing seconds of the third period to win, 8-6.

The Owls had a forfeit win at 220, but North’s David Redding had a 7-1 decision at 285 over Tyler Bicknell. That was the last match the Bull Dogs won until Alex Davidson picked up a pin against Cheaney Reichenbacker at 145 pounds. In between those two, Seymour racked up six consecutive wins to clinch the victory.

“We have a ton of kids of can’t handle the pace that I have been setting,” Bulldogs coach Nick Skinner said. “Our 152 is out with a knee injury, so we will see if we get him back for sectionals. That is a couple of points swing right there. That 195 killed us, and it was a hard way to lose the match.”

Seymour’s Justin Ruddick pinned Morgan Smith at 106 in 1:41, and the Owls then claimed another forfeit win at 113. Brandon Penegar had a two-point reversal late in the second period and held on for the 4-1 win against Isaiah Peetz at 120. John Shuffitt pinned Dallin Anderson in 1:39 at 126, Jerren Keller had a 6-0 decision over Thomas Hancock at 132, and Garrett Johnson had an 8-0 major decision over Will Russell at 138.

“I thought we wrestled like we wanted to,” Weaver said. “We had a good week of practice, and we had that attitude that we want this and are coming to get it.”

Columbus North won three of the final four matches of the night as Davidson had a pin, Andrew Chapman had a pin against Brandon Thomasma in 1:18 at 160 and Evan Stavnhelm had a forfeit win at 170.

“It is what it is, and it is tough giving up any points through forfeits,” Skinner said.

No posts to display