A home sweep: Panthers edge Mid-Prairie, Bellevue

WRESTLING

     Monticello wrestling coach Ryan Luensman called it “a good night for Monticello wrestling,” and with good reason.

     The Panthers were hosts to a pair of River Valley Conference opponents Thursday, Dec. 15, and came away with two wins. Monticello tied Mid-Prairie 39-39, but earned the victory on the fifth criterion on the tie-breaking list: scoring first the most times.

     Then, the Panthers scored a 42-36 victory over Bellevue, leaving their dual meet record at 3-1.

     “Both dual wins were a complete team effort from top to bottom of our lineup,” Luensman said. “Everyone was patient and fought the entire six minutes, and that is why we came out on top.”

     Four Panthers went 2-0 for the night. Thomas Broderick (160 and 170 pounds) and Gavin Holub (182) each recorded two fall. Chase Luensman (120/126) won by fall and forfeit. Garrett McCoy (113/120) won twice by forfeit.

     Others recording pins were Alaina Sunlin, Noel Halder, Lake Stahlberg and Wade Picray. Andrew Wall had a decision win and a narrow loss. Tyler Kuper had one win by forfeit.

     “We wrestled smart and hard throughout the entire night,” Luensman said. “We had a huge win at 132 from Andrew Wall against Mid-Prairie. Gavin Holub, Chase Luensman and Thomas Broderick all had great nights. Every single person on our team contributed.”

     Both duals ended up close, but were also wrapped up before the final matches. Against Mid-Prairie, Monticello built a 37-27 lead, and Wall’s 2-1 decision win gave the Panthers a 13-point lead with two matches left. Monticello lost both by fall, but picked up the win.

     The Bellevue match was similar: A pin by Halder at 138 put Monticello ahead 42-24 with two matches left. The Comets scored the final 12 points, but the Panther 42-36 victory had already been clinched.

     A meet was added to the schedule prior to the holiday break, as the Panthers were set to travel to Winthrop to face East Buchanan Dec. 20.

     “I’m glad we get the opportunity to wrestle on Tuesday,” Luensman noted on Monday. “The weather hasn’t been very nice to us. We’ve had to adjust tournaments, and we need to get matches in.

     “I like the attitude of our wrestlers as we approach Christmas break. We will continue to pick up the intensity as we move into the second half of the season.”

Dec. 15

(at Monticello)

Monticello 39,

Mid-Prairie 39

(Monticello wins by criteria)

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     152 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 160 – Thomas Broderick pinned Isaac Boucher, 1:17. 170 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 182 – Gavin Holub pinned Jacob Leonard, 5:08. 195 – Lake Stahlberg pinned Colton Allen, 1:43. 220 – Wade Picray was pinned by Visouth Peterschmidt, 0:39. Tyler Kuper lost to Jason Tew, 3-2 (tie-breaker). 106 – Alaina Sunlin pinned Levi Stultz, 1:29. 113 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 120 – Garrett McCoy won by forfeit. 125 – Chase Luensman won by forfeit. 132 – Andrew Wall dec. Timothy Grepl, 2-1. 138 – Noel Halder was pinned by Duncan McCain, 0:17. 145 – Tyler Ungs was pinned by David Murray, 1:12.

Exhibition

     182 – Keegan Achenbach was pinned by Cory Alen, 2:47. 182 – Jordan Smith was pinned by Jose Juarez, 1:58. 182 – David Bagby was pinned by Jose Juarez, 0:37. 138 – Travis Heinrich dec. Beau Stutzman, 10-3.

Monticello 42,

Bellevue 36

(Monticello wrestlers listed first)

     160 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 170 – Thomas Broderick pinned Justin Carrier, 1:10. 182 – Gavin Holub pinned Zach Bullock, 1:08. 195 – Lake Stahlberg was pinned by Mason Lyons, 2:41. 220 – Wade Picray pinned Brandon Kafer, 0:44. 285 – Tyler Kuper won by forfeit. 106 – Alaina Sunlin lost to Zach Roeder, 6-2. 113 – Garrett McCoy won by forfeit. 120 – Chase Luensman pinned Austin Michels, 2:56. 126 – Monticello lost by forfeit. 132 – Andrew Wall lost to Cade Smith, 3-2. 138 – Noel Halder pinned Kyle Hankemeier, 0:42. 145 – Tyler Ungs was pinned by Hunter Clasen, 0:36. 152 – Monticello lost by forfeit.