The region wrestling dual title came down to one match, but it wasn’t the last one.
Two rich-in-tradition programs (a combined 12 state dual and traditional titles) and undefeated this season in region play went at it Thursday night with host Notre Dame edging East Ridge, 42-36, and advances to the A-AA state duals next weekend in Franklin at the Williamson Co. Expo Center.
With the match starting at 106 pounds, the Irish sprinted to a 27-6 lead heading to the 145 pound match.
Key Match: In the best match of the night, Irish sophomore defeated John Williams, 5-3, for a 30-6 lead only to have the Pioneers have four pins and a forfeit win in the final five matches to pull within six.
Notre Dame’s Alex Spraker got the opening takedown and led 2-1 after one period and 3-1 after two.
Spraker gained a takedown to start the third period and Williams countered with a reverse but couldn’t turn his opponent for back points
If Williams had won, and the Pioneers went on to win those final five matches, the dual would have been tied at 42 and East Ridge would have won on tie breaker criteria and advanced to the state.
“I knew the importance of that match at the time and we gave it our all and that’s all a coach can ask for,” said East Ridge coach Chris Bird as both wrestlers had several opportunities for takedowns, but each was able to counter well.
“Prior to the match, I thought Notre Dame would be favored in eight matches and six for us and we had to steal one.
And hats off to Notre Dame as they wrestled well.”
Notre Dame first year head coach Rocco Mansueto said,” I am most proud of the maturity our guys have shown this season as mental maturity has to come first.”
Notre Dame 42, East Ridge 36
106 – Cade Holloway (ND) pinned Kortney Vanders, 2:43 … ND, 6-0
113 – Grant Speer (ND) pinned Jesus Baltizar, 1:22 … ND, 12-0
120 – Kashawn Casey (ER) pinned Matthew Shelton, :47 … ND, 12-6
126 – Camden Dickens (ND) pinned Oscar Jiminez, 3:10 … ND , 18-6
132 – Luke Mullin (ND) pinned Jorge Gil,1:04 ,,, ND, 24-6
138 – Ned Warwick (ND) dec. Logan McDonald, 9-4 ... ND, 27-6
145 – Alex Spraker (ND) dec. Josh Williams, 5-3 … ND, 30-6
152 – David Hodges (ND) pinned Steven Davoren, :43 .. ND, 36-6
160 – Daniel Hodges (ND) pinned Brandon Day, :27 … ND, 42-6
170 – Darian Smith (ER) pinned Thomas Martin, :53 … ND, 42-12
182 – Pedro Bautista (ER) forfeit win … ND, 42-18
195 – Doug Salvador (ER) pinned Doogan Boyd, 3:50 … ND, 42-24
220 – Quasey Vinson (ER) pinned Mark Mariani, :14 … ND, 42-30
285 – Christian Castro (ER) pinned Sam Stovall, 1:46 … ND, 42-36
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@Comcast.net