Big move helps Jackson Hird record fall in Mount Vernon’s dual victory over Clear Creek Amana

TIFFIN — Jackson Hird needed a big move and he was running out of time.

So, he dug deep into his arsenal and pulled out his favorite, known as the cowcatcher for its resemblance to wrestling cattle to the ground.

Hird executed the feet-to-back maneuver for a come-from-behind pin with eight seconds left in the 165-pound match and helped Class 2A No. 2 Mount Vernon defeat 3A No. 15 Clear Creek Amana, 43-26, in a Wamac Conference boys’ wrestling dual Thursday night at CCA. The Mustangs’ girls’ wrestling team posted a 72-3 dual win over the Clippers.

“It makes me feel pretty happy,” Hird said. “I was satisfied that I could help my team that much.

“I was just looking for the next move.”

Hird trailed by five with about a minute remaining. He was able to hit the high-amplitude move. The takedown and resulting nearfall would have forced overtime, but Hird closed out the 5:52 pin over Ben Haughey. The fall extended Mount Vernon’s lead to 13-6 after four matches.

“I was going through my mind, going through a checklist of what I know I’m good at and what I know I can do,” Hird said. “I was trying every shot I could see. That was open. I saw it. I tried my best to throw it.”

Hird said he has used the cowcatcher (also known as a whipover) since middle school and noted he may have used it on Haughey in the past. It became his “go-to” move early on and he still relies on it when big points are needed.

“That is my out-of-pocket move,” Hird said. “If anything goes wrong. That’s my ‘Oh shoot. I’ve got to go’ move. I love that. I practice it all the time in practice. My partners kind of hate it but I love it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Hird was a state qualifier last season and improved to 4-1 this year. He is one of six ranked wrestlers in Mount Vernon’s lineup. Four of them are in a five-weight stretch, which makes for some hard-fought workouts. The Mustangs push each other and the practice room will be tougher than some competitions.

“It’s pretty competitive,” Hird said. “It feels like you can try your best and try whatever. There is no real losing side to it. You’re going to win.”

Mount Vernon (2-0, 2-0 Wamac) tallied nine victories, receiving pins from heavyweight Ethan Wood, top-ranked Klayten Perreault (106) and Jake Haugse at 120. Mikey Ryan added a major decision at 150 and state finalist and top-ranked Jase Jaspers closed the dual with a technical fall at 138.

Clear Creek Amana (2-1, 0-1) kept within striking distance throughout the dual. Jackson Stevens (157), Carson Nash (215) and 113-pounder Jose Mendieta won by pin. Cale Nash posted a 20-5 technical fall over Drew Thurn at 126 and pulled the Clippers within 34-26 with two matches left.

The Mustangs’ Caleb Keegan secured the dual victory with a 10-0 major decision over Ben White at 132.

Mount Vernon is ranked second in tournament and dual rankings. The Mustangs returned seven state qualifiers and four medalists from last year’s team that placed third in the traditional state tournament and fourth at state duals. The focus is on immediate competition and not on the end goals.

“So far, there hasn’t been any talk about it,” Hird said. “It’s kind of like a one-meet season. Every meet is the most important meet on the schedule. Every meet is sharpening your blade.”

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