Short-handed Mustangs romp in opener

MARION - Late season success in football caused an early-season dilemma for Mount Vernon wrestling.

The Mustangs opened the season without up to six likely starters, including five football players who only had a few practices under their belt. They missed much of the preseason because of Mount Vernon's Class 2A state runner-up finish that ended Nov. 20.

The Mustangs proved to be just fine, handling host Marion and Cedar Rapids Washington in a double-dual Tuesday night. Mount Vernon beat the Indians, 42-30, and capped the night with a 49-12 victory over the Warriors.

Wrestlers like heavyweight Tristan Wirfs, 220-pounder Bryce Cox, Jack Cochrane (195), Sam Moore (182) and Colden Clark could have gone, but Mustangs Coach Vance Light decided this was the best option for all. They stayed home and practiced.

'Realistically, you're working for the end of the year,” said Light, expecting them to wrestle Saturday. 'If you happen to lose a couple duals because they're not in there that's the way it is. Rather have them ready for the end of the year. There's more importance on what they are working for as far as their goals.”

The same scenario occurred a little more than a decade ago. In 2002 and 2003, the Mustangs went to two straight title games in football, which affected the wrestling teams that included two-time state champion Jacob Craig and eventual state champ Matt Kroul.

'I've dealt with it before,” Light said. 'I just forgot what it was like.”

The team talked about being short-handed and embracing the opportunity to step in the lineup at some spots.

'We talked about the difference between a good team and a great team,” Light said. 'Great teams don't make excuses why they lose. If we only have 11 guys then those 11 will have to wrestle like there is 14 of them.”

Despite giving up three forfeits to Marion and two to Washington, the Mustangs were dominant. Jack Streicher (106), 120-pounder Liam Conroy, Justin Light, Tony Garcia, John Engelbrecht (160), Coy Martin at 170 and heavyweight Preston Schultz went 2-0. Schultz had two pins, Streicher had a fall and technical fall, and Martin added a fall and major decision. The Mustangs won eight bouts against the Indians and all but two contested weights against Washington.

'All of them did a great job,” Light said. 'They wrestled hard.

'It's something to build on. For the beginning of the year, I thought we looked pretty good coming out of the gate.”

In the nightcap, Marion beat Washington, 45-24. The Indians received falls from Caleb and Colin Conway at 145 and 152, respectively. Brevin Hahn (195), heavyweight Carson Webster and Aaron Cleppe at 106 closed the dual with three pins in the final four matches.

The win was welcome on the opening night.

'We are young,” Marion Coach Jason Haag said. 'It's a good and fun group. They are working hard.”

Washington's Will Foreman was 2-0, posting a first-period pin against Marion.

AT MARION

Mount Vernon 42, Marion 30

Hwt. – Preston Shultz (MV) pinned Carson Shultz, 1:02; 106 - Jack Streicher (MV) tech. fall Aaron Cleppe, 16-0; 113 - Ryan Clark (MV) won by forfeit; 120 - Liam Conroy (MV) dec. Zach Cochran, 8-2; 126 - Justin Light (MV) pinned Braden Garringer, :39; 132 - Tony Garcia (MV) pinned Mason Hiler, 2:41; 138 - Trey Clifton (Mar) dec. Josh Hanson, 8-7; 145 - Caleb Conway (Mar) won by forfeit; 152 - Colin Conway (Mar) dec. Levi Wade, 15-9; 160 - John Engelbrecht (MV) major dec. Brady Bartz, 12-4; 170 - Coy Martin (MV) pinned Michael Duke, 1:45; 182 - Jack Whitney (Mar) won by forfeit; 195 - Brevin Hahn (Mar) won by forfeit; 220 - Keanu Quinn (Mar) pinned Zach Niehaus, 1:27.

Mount Vernon 49, C.R. Washington

106 pounds – Streicher (MV) pinned Ben Janssen, 1:16; 113 – Clark (MV) won by forfeit; 120 – Conroy (MV) dec. Ronnie Arenas, 9-4; 126 – Will Foreman (CRW) dec. Paul Ryan, 10-3; 132 – Light (MV) won by forfeit; 138 – Garcia (MV) dec. Logan Sears, 7-3; 145 – Logan Black-Marchand (CRW) dec. Hanson, 7-3; 152 – Wade (MV) pinned Jeremy Marble, 2:42; 160 – Engelbrecht (MV) pinned Matt Ackerman, 1:52; 170 – Martin (MV) major dec. Brooklyn Butler, 11-3; 182 – Double forfeit; 195 – Jared Scherrman (CRW) won by forfeit; 220 – Zach Niehaus (MV) dec. Billy Faulkner, 3-0; Hwt. – Shultz (MV) pinned Andrew Todd, :50.

Marion 45, C.R. Washington 24

113 - Double Forfeit; 120 - Arenas (CRW) dec. Cochran, 9-6; 126 - Foreman (CRW) pinned Garringer, :40; 132 - Hiler (Mar) pinned Dalton Lauderdale, :12; 138 - Clifton (Mar) dec. Sears, 7-0; 145 – Ca. Conway (Mar) pinned Black-Marchand, 1:02; 152 – Co. Conway (Mar) pinned Ty Johnson, 3:08; 160 - Ackerman (CRW) dec. Bartz, 6-5; 170 - Butler (CRW) pinned Michael Duke, 1:56; 182 - Jack Whitney (Mar) won by forfeit; 195 - Hahn (Mar) pinned Jared Scherrman, 2:22; 220 - Billy Faulkner (CRW) pinned Quinn, 1:20; Hwt. - Webster (Mar) pinned Andrew Todd, 1:24; 106 - Cleppe (Mar) pinned Ben Janssen, 2:49.

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