JCHS earns Giant win

The Patriots will have three more opportunities to wrestle on their home mats this season. But for senior night Thursday, they celebrated in style.
Drake Meska hit the century mark for career victories as Jay County built a 31-point lead before holding on for a 41-34 victory over the visiting Marion Giants.
Meska (145) picked up an easy victory when he caught Anthony White on his back and pinned him in just 25 seconds. It improved his record to 32-2 on the season and marked his 100th career win.
“He’s having a great season,” said JCHS coach James Myers of the senior, who is ranked seventh in the state at 140 pounds. “He’s dominating matches. He’s wrestling his style.
“I think he’s set himself up well (for the tournament). He’s beat some good kids.”
The milestone victory for Meska came in the midst of the Patriots’ domination of the 130- through 160-pound weight classes.
After opening with a loss at 125 pounds, Jay County started its run as Jesse Finnerty (130) built a 9-1 lead in the first period. He turned a headlock into a pin as he finished off Charlie Koonce in 2:56 and put the Patriots in the lead for good.
Austin Bentz (135) added a pin in 1:43 against Nick Hernandez, and Kyle Davidson (140) followed with a dominating victory over Xavier Washington. Davidson built a 16-6 advantage and finished off Washington for a 19-4 technical fall with a near fall in the final period.
“He’s physical and was just much more aggressive,” said Myers of Davidson, who is now 22-7. “Confidence on his feet is what has helped him tremendously.
“Betz stepped in the lineup and got a pin. The younger kids are coming along I think. They’re getting better.”
Dyllan Derrickson (152) led just 4-2 over Joe Turner before coming up with a takedown and near fall midway through the third period on the way to a 9-2 victory. And then Nick Leonhard (160) competed the run as he pinned Devante Mayor in just 40 seconds to push his record to 23-9.
A forfeit victory for Kyle Garringer (189) and an 8-5 decision from Eric Hemmelgarn (215) over David Harvey extended the Jay County lead to and insurmountable 41-10.
“Hemmelgarn is having a great season, especially at 215,” said Myers of the freshman, who has a 26-8 record. “He hates losing. He can wrestling for six minutes. He doesn’t get gassed like a lot of kids that size do.
“Physically, he’s gifted for a freshman. He’s very aggressive, which is something that’s hard to teach kids at that age.”
Jay County dropped the final four matches — three by pin and one via forfeit — in the seven-point victory.
With five wrestlers who have 20 or more wins, including three who were semi-state qualifiers last year, Myers said he believes his team is prepared for the tournament season. The Patriots will host the Jay County Invitational Jan. 22, followed by the sectional tournament Jan. 29 and the regional on Feb. 5.
“I think we’re ready,” said Myers, whose team is 15-11. “Obviously Bellmont has been the class of the sectional. South Adams is going to be her the top. After that there are three or four teams that will compete for third place.”
In junior varsity matches Thursday, Zach Metcalf (160) pinned Noble Hernandez in 1:12. Cesar Castor (145) defeated Michael Culley by an 18-1 technical fall.[[In-content Ad]]