Prep wrestling: ACGC tips Cats in thriller
NEW LONDON — It seemed early for a showdown on the wrestling mat in just the first week of December but that’s what fans got on Tuesday evening at the New London-Spicer Middle School.
From the first whistle, the noisy crowd was into the action which remained undecided until the last of 14 matches.
Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City prevailed coming away with a 35-28 on Tuesday night.
With ACGC up 31-28, Lucas Damm, the Falcon’s heavyweight, stamped the victory with a 10-0 major decision.
Fans filled the bleachers along one side of the gym. Folding chairs were set up for additional seating and many more stood.
(The high school gym was hosting a Wildcats’ basketball game.)
The Cats jumped out 10-4 on a pin and a major by brothers Tom and Jakob Stageberg, repectively.
But the match would be tense all the way. Logan Brink’s pin put NLS up 19-6 for their biggest lead at 138 pounds.
But Larry Bomstad’s pin at 145 started a Falcons’ rally that would tie the match 19-19 and then put the visitors up 25-19 after Matthew Whitcomb’s pin at 170.
The Cats’ Grant Vagle tied the score 25-25 with a 2:31 pin. Maverick Whitcomb called and raised the ante with a second period pin for a 31-25 Falcons’ advantage.
Brandon Knisley picked up 3 points with a decision but not enough to offset Damm, the Falcons’ domineering heavyweight.
Both teams were coming off invitational championships on opening weekend.
ACGC 35, NLS 28
106: Ryan Molinaro, A, dec Jacob Travis 8-4
113: Tom Stageberg, N, pin Ethan Houseman 5:15
120: Jakob Stageberg, N, mj Bob Rassmussen 15-5
126: Derek Dengerud, A, dec Oden Rogers 4-2 OT
132: Trey Austvold, N, dec Tyler Berghuis 2-0 OT
138: Logan Brink, N, pin Cullen Hoffman :28
145: Larry Bomstad, A, pin Logan Eckhoff 3:30
152: Logan Peterson, A, mj Corbin Schwartz 11-0
160: Lee Whitcomb, A, dec Jarrett Hatlestad 4-2
170: Matt Whitcomb, A, pin Jordan Baker 1:44
182: Grant Vagle, N, pin Jordan Nelson 2:31
195: Mav. Whitcomb, A, pin Luke Gould 2:47
220: Brandon Knisley, N, dec Jordan Fester 9-5
285: Lucas Damm, A, mj Rick Berry 10-0
