Kenton Wrestling defeats OG 38-30

Senior, Matthew Handell, sealed the victory for Kenton over the Titans in wrestling action on Thursday night 38-30.  The Wildcats were down four team points heading into the 215 lb weight class match that would determine the winner of the WBL dual matchup. 

Both teams with small rosters gave up many team forfeit points favoring Kenton slightly. On the night there were only five contested matches; Kenton winning three. One by decision, one by tech fall and one by pin.

Harrison Brien, bumped up to 138 lbs, got Kenton the first win of the night over Benji Barnes.  Brien was able to secure five takedowns, a reversal and four near fall points; but wasn’t quite able to pin Barnes to end the match.  Brien won by Techfall 23-7.

Senior Karson Davis faced Griffin Kottonbrock in an intense 144-pound matchup. The contest was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both wrestlers nearly securing pins and earning four near-fall points each in the second period. Davis started the period on the bottom but quickly executed a reversal, locking Kottonbrock in a cradle to earn back points. However, Kottonbrock responded with a reversal of his own, forcing Davis to fight hard and hold on to avoid being pinned.  No score was recorded in the third period and Davis took the win by a 9-7 decision.

The match score was 26-30 and Handell was facing district qualifier, Austin Haley.  Handell fell to Haley at OG last year late in the thrid period in a tightly contested match. Handell would have to win this years match to put Kenton on top.

After a lot of hand fighting and not many attacking attempts, Handell was able to get to Haley’s leg and secure a hard fought takedown as the first period ended.  In the second period, Haley earned an escape, but neither wrestler was able to score any further.  In the final period, Handell pulled off a reversal and proceeded to win the match with a pin (5:21).

Brison Laubis accepted a forfeit at heavyweight to finalize the victory over Ottawa-Glandorf 38-30.  Logan Kapanka, at 120 lbs, and Michael Hare at 190 lbs, also took forfeits for Kenton.

Kenton is travelling to Bucyrus this weekend for the their 37th annual pool tournament.  The Wildcats will then head to Riverdale on Wednesday for a tri-meet with Ada and then take on WBL opponent, Elida, away on Thursday.

Match Results:

     0-6 | 106 – Landon Baumgartner (OG) by Forfeit

   0-12 | 113 – Lacey Pope (OG) over S. Vansky (:58)

   6-12 | 120 – Logan Kapanka (K) by Forfeit

   6-12 | 126 – Double Void

   6-12 | 132 – Double Void

  11-12 | 138 – Harrison Brien (K) over B. Barnes by TF (23-7)

  14-12 | 144 – Karson Davis (K) over G. Kottenbrock by Dec. 9-7

  14-18 | 150 – Seth Thomas (OG) by Forfeit

  14-24 | 157 – Zane Badder (OG) by Forfeit

  20-24 | 165  – Isaac Blevins (K) by Forfeit

  20-30 | 175 – Evan Rosengarten (OG) over I. Poland by Fall (1:49)

  26-30 | 190 – Michael Hare (K) by Forfeit

  32-30 | 215  – Matthew Handell (K) over A. Haley by Fall (5:21)

  38-30 | 285 – Brison Laubis (K) by Forfeit