Freedom

handles Watauga
By Andy Kruse
Special to the Democrat

It wasn’t pretty for the Pioneer wrestlers who took only five wins out of the 14 weight classes Tuesday night at Lance-Eggers Gym against Freedom High. Both teams came in with 2-3 records in the conference, but Freedom left ahead winning 43-23.

Struck again by forfeits, Watauga gave up four matches, or 24 points, without even hitting the floor at 112, 171, 215, and 285 pounds. Freedom gave up two forfeits at 152 and 171.

The highlight of the night for Watauga was the 103 match when Ethan Henson exploded and pinned Nathaniel Kerley in 21 seconds.

“I was really fired up to get after it,” Henson said. “I knew I could pin him before I even went in there.”

Watauga’s Jacob Earp had a bloody match at the 140 weight class against Christian Mejia. Breaking his nose on the first shot, Earp toughed it out with a nose full of gauze to win by major decision 13-4.

“I had no choice but to push on to get a win for the team.” Earp said.

Savva Kostis toyed with his opponent at 145 making several take downs and allowing escapes until he decided to pin Mason Webb shortly into the second period.

Watauga’s Justin Hyatt and Casey Reeves won by forfeit.

Pioneer William Pinkerton lost 6-5 in a dramatic match that came down to the wire in the 135 weight class.

“We need to score more on defense,” Watauga coach James Eichmiller said. “We want to be offensive, but need to capitalize more on defense.”

Being the last home dual match, it was senior night and those honored were Kostis, Earp, Hyatt, and Eric Broschinski.

This Saturday the Pioneers play host for the conference tournament.

Freedom 43, Watauga 23
215 – Steven Webb (F) won by forfeit
285 – Ulysses McAlilly (F) won by forfeit
103 – Ethan Henson (W) pin Nathaniel Kerley, 1:39 1st.
112 – Andrew Foote (F) won by forfeit
119 – Brett Boston (F) tech. fall Zain Eisenberg, 15-0, :05 2nd.
125 – Andoni Mejia (F) maj. dec. Jason Wood, 21-12.
130 – John Eskridge (F) won by forfeit
135 – Danny Boan (F) d. William Pinkerton, 6-5.
140 – Jacob Earp (W) maj. dec. Christian Mejia, 13-4.
145 – Savva Kostis (W) p. AJ Devlin, 1:36 2nd.
152 – Justin Hyatt (W) won by forfeit
160 – Mason Webb (F) maj. dec. 9-0.
171 – Casey Reeves (W) won by forfeit
189 – Thomas Baily (F) d. 8-2.