Shorthanded Packers put up a fight against Panthers
Published 8:43 pm Thursday, January 17, 2019
- Austin’s Latham Wilson flips Rochester Century’s Zach Herber at 138 pounds, which Wilson went on to win by decision. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin wrestling team didn’t have a full lineup, but it gave a full effort in a 42-34 loss to Rochester Century (7-6 overall, 2-5 Big Nine) in Ove Berven Gym Thursday.
The Packers (0-11 overall, 0-7 Big Nine) had to forfeit six matches, but they were able to get four pins in the seven matches they did wrestle.
“I would say this is probably the best we’ve performed as a collective group even though we had a lot of holes in the lineup with injuries,” Austin head coach Jacob Nelson said. “They’ve been putting the work in, they’ve been showing dedication and the kids that are here are working hard. They want to be successful and they want to learn.”
Austin senior Josh Belden made quick work of Century’s Paxton Pagel at 160-pounds as Belden used an early takedown to get a pin just 26 seconds into the match.
“We came out really excited. We knew we could win a lot of matches tonight, even though we only had seven varsity wrestlers,” Belden said. “We always have that same mentality of going out and wrestling your match. Once you’re on the mat, it’s just you and your guy. Nothing else going on.”
Austin 285-pounder Elijah Marks works to pin Rochester Century’s Seth Arndt Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin senior Eli Marks closed out the match on a high note as he was able to pick up a pin in the second period. Marks was taken down early on, but he was able to turn things around and power down on Century’s Seth Arndt to get the pin.
“It took a lot out of me. He kind of had me, but I just muscled through it,” Marks said.
Austin’s Tommy Fritz picked up a pin over Douglas Lee at 132-pounds and Austin’s Jordan Derry pinned Nate Davis at 195-pounds.
Marks said Austin’s early wins pumped him up.
“Once one of our light weights wins a match, we all kind of get going and get fired up,” Marks said. “We’ve definitely improved this season.”
Jordan Derry works for position on Rochester Century’s Nate Davis at 195 pounds Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Century 42, Austin 34
106: Nick Zetah (C) won by forfeit
113: Jaden Peterson (C) won by forfeit
120: Christian Swenson (C) pinned Sean Donovan (A)
132: Tommy Fritz (A) pinned Douglas Lee (C) (1:24)
138: Latham Wilson (A) 14-5 dec. over Zach Herber (C)
145: Garrett Pavelko (C) won by forfeit
152: Owen Pharo (C) won by forfeit
160: Josh Belden (A) pinned Paxton Pagel (C) (:26)
170: Casey Neumann (C) won by forfeit
182: Logan Carter (C) won by forfeit
195: Jordan Derry (A) pinned Nate Davis (C) (3:09)
220: double forfeit
285: Eli Marks (A) pinned Seth Arndt (C) (2:32)
Austin’s Josh Belden pins Rochester Century’s Paxton Pagel at 160 pounds Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
