KIRTLAND—The two losses Kirtland suffered in a double dual with Grand Valley and Rocky River are a bit deceiving.
The Hornets filled just six of 14 weight classes in losses to Grand Valley (30-24) and Rocky River (30-15) but won eight of the 12 individual matches wrestled.
“Coming into this year with so many forfeits that’s what we have to look at,” said Kirtland coach Scott Francis. “We tell the kids we’re looking at matches wrestled and how we did against the other team.”
Brendan Williamson (113/120), Konnor Duncan (120/126) and Chris Brown (160) all went 2-0 for the Hornets while Gus Mormino (145) and Jonathan Miller (170) were 1-1. Spencer McLelland dropped both of his matches at 182.
“We were happy with the way all the guys wrestled,” Francis said. “They all showed improvement, especially after just coming off having a tournament on Sunday and Monday. I was worried about them being a little bit sluggish but they looked pretty good.”
Williamson and Duncan both won by forfeit against Grand Valley. Brown and Miller pinned their Mustangs opponents.
Williamson then bumped up to 120 pounds for the Rocky River dual and pinned Josh Bergin in 2:33. Duncan pulled out a 5-4 win over Aaron Bish and Mormino won a hard fought 5-1 decision over Gino Giammarco.
Brown led Andrew Ihnot, 11-1 before being taken down to his back. He held on for an 11-6 decision.
“They’re fixing mistakes that they’re making throughout the year,” Francis said. “They’re making new ones but that’s how wrestling goes and that’s what we tell them. It’s OK to make mistakes, just correct those ones and move on and you’ll have other ones. It’s OK as long as you’re not making the same ones over and over again.”
Grand Valley 30, Kirtland 24
106-double forfeit; 113-Brendan Williamson (K) by forfeit; 120-Konnor Duncan (K) by forfeit; 126-double forfeit; 132-Gavin Meeker (GV) by forfeit; 138-Jonathan Soltis (GV) by forfeit; 145-Cody Rhoads (GV) pinned Gus Mormino, 3:30; 152-double forfeit; 160-Chris Brown (K) pinned Nathan Rassmussen, 5:00; 170-Jonathan Miller (K) pinned Logan Newell, 3:19; 182-Bradly Turner (GV) pinned Spencer McLelland, 3:05; 195-double forfeit; 220-double forfeit; 285-Austin Mathis (GV) by forfeit.
Rocky River 30, Kirtland 15
106-double forfeit; 113-double forfeit, 120-Brendan Williamson (K) pinned Josh Bergin, 2:33; 126-Konnor Duncan (K) dec. Aaron Bish, 5-4; 132-Aaron Kelly (RR) by forfeit; 138-double forfeit; 145-Gus Mormino (K) dec. Gino Giammarco, 5-1; 152-double forfeit; 160-Chris Brown (K) dec. Andrew Ihnot, 11-6; 170-Jack Rogers (RR) pinned Jonathan Miller, 2:40; 182-Jacob Adams (RR) pinned Spencer McLelland, 1:46; 195-Dane Shirley (RR) by forfeit; 220-double forfeit; 285-Colin Shirley (RR) by forfeit.
