Comeback falls short for JC vs. Eagles (12/18/03)

PORTLAND — Jay County wrestled better than it had in its dual meet a week earlier. But, it still wasn’t quite enough to come away with a victory.

The Oak Hill Golden Eagles dominated the lower weight classes Wednesday night and held on for a 44-34 victory over the Patriots.

“This year we happen to have four 103-pounders,” said Oak Hill coach Andrew King. “If they stay in it and keep improving, they can keep our lower weight classes strong.”

Oak Hill (5-3) won five of the first six matches — starting at 103 pounds — to build a 29-6 lead. The Patriots twice pulled to within 10 points, but never got closer as the match ended with the 10-point margin.

“We wrestled a lot better than last week against Winchester,” said Jay County coach James Myers. “But, we gave up way too many falls tonight.”

Jay County (8-10) allowed three pins, a technical fall and a forfeit in the first six matches to fall into the deficit. The comeback try began with back-to-back wins from Kurtis Hess (140) and Trent Bash.

Hess dominated his match, scoring his first takedown in just 10 seconds. He was the lone Patriot on the night to end with a win in the first period, pinning Levi Biggs in 1-minute, 50 seconds.

Bash took longer, but got the same job done.

In the 145-pound match Bash got tossed in the first period, and trailed 2-1 after the first two minutes. Sam Nolder took him down again in the second period, and held a 4-1 lead heading into the final period.

But, starting on top, Bash had a plan.

With his brother — Tyler, a senior — yelling from the bench, the younger Bash took control as he started from the top position. He worked on Nolder for another minute and a half before scoring a pin at 5:24.

“I stick the legs in, and that’s my best move from any position,” Bash said. “I guess I just wanted top (position) to be able to do that.”

By the time Tyler Bash (HVY) got to the mat the team result had already been decided, as Oak Hill freshman Gerry Sigworth secured a win for his team with a pin of Tom Smith in the 215-pound contest. But, the elder Bash still had something to prove.

He owned the entire match, taking a 2-0 lead after the first period and building a 7-1 lead heading into the third. However, he was having trouble getting leverage to go for the pin.

Finally, leading 9-1 in the third period, he got the upper hand. Bash scored a pin in 5:36 in the final home dual meet of his career.

“It got to the end and I knew I was going to have to get the pin,” said Bash. “I focused in on what I was doing.

“There were a couple things I needed to improve on that I was working on throughout the match. I was working on keeping my hips down, applying pressure, keeping on my toes and constantly attacking.”

The other pins for Jay County came from Josh Thornburg (112) and Bill Spahr (160), both of whom constantly dominated their opponents.

Thornburg took just 15 second to score his first takedown, and had a 6-0 lead when he pinned Sean Schwarze in 3:09. Spahr scored 11 first-period points and was up 13-1 when he caught Josh Jenkins in a cradle and pinned him in 3:04.

Nathan Conatser added an 11-0 major decision over Eddie Estrada at 189 pounds.

Still, those wins were not enough as the Patriots gave up at least four points in every defeat.

For Oak Hill, Jared Kidwell (119) pinned Kade Poore in 1:08, Evan Pence (125) pinned Derek Bogenschutz in 3:22 and Craig Rosman (130) pinned Nathan Daniels in 5:14.

John McIlwain (135) got a 19-2 technical fall over Matt Daniels, Ryan DiBattiste (152) scored a 19-4 technical fall against Justin Adams and Tony Fuller (171) picked up an 11-2 major decision over Robert Ralston.

“I thought we performed decently,” said King. “There was room for improvement, but a couple guys performed better than they have in the past.

“We knew at 215 we needed to get a win. A young man who hasn’t had a lot of success rose to the occasion. We’re excited for him.”

Myers said he thought his team’s effort has continued to improve.

“We’re getting better,” he said. “The kids are understanding the importance of big-time matches.

“Our enthusiasm and our wrestling on our feet were a lot better. I even though our mat wrestling was better tonight.”

The Patriots now take some time off before getting back on the mat at home at the East Central Indiana Classic Saturday, Dec. 27.

Junior varsity

Jay County earned four victories in junior varsity matches, all by pins.

Justin Gilbert (152) scored the quickest win for the JV Patriots. He put Bob Davis to the mat 23 seconds into the second period.

Also scoring pins for Jay County — all in the third period — were Jared Myers (112), Seth James (112) and Justin Yohner (135).[[In-content Ad]]