NEWBURY—The annual 87 Rumble pits neighborhood rivals Berkshire, Cardinal and Newbury against each other in a throwback to wrestling’s heyday.
A near-capacity crowd was on hand to watch the youth, middle school and high school programs compete against each other and the fans were treated to plenty of excitement starting with Cardinal’s 28-27 win over Berkshire in the first round.
“We beat Berkshire on criteria,” said Cardinal coach Jeff Zeigler. “That’s our first dual meet win this year. It was a positive night for Cardinal wrestling.”
The Huskies won four of the six matches wrestled against the Badgers but gave up an extra forfeit points that allowed Berkshire to tie the match. Cardinal won based on recording the most pins in the dual meet.
Ryan Shanower (120), Trevor Bachna (126) and Paul Byler (132) all pinned their Berkshire opponents while Jerry Rose won by decision at 145 pounds. Devan Callison collected a forfeit at 195.
Zane Drebus dropped a 10-3 decision to Berkshire’s Mason Lustig at 152 pounds but his escape late in the third period prevented the Badgers from earning a bonus point with a major decision. That point decided the match.
Drebus closed out the night with a 4-3 win over Newbury’s Jared Zimperman.
“I don’t think Zane really knew the magnitude of that but he needed tonight,” Zeigler said. “He’s progressing every day. He’s a junior so he’s got a lot of mat time left. We’re’ excited about him. He’s definitely our leader as far as work ethic. He outworks everyone in the room.”
The Huskies fell to Newbury, 54-18, in the second round but they won two of the five matches wrestled.
Rose recorded an escape with eight seconds remaining in the match to beat Michael Weston, 6-5. The win was his second of the night over a returning district qualifier.
“He impresses me every day,” Zeigler said of Rose. “The kid has some talent, he really does. He’s going to be a formidable competitor in the future and he is now. He beat two district qualifiers. It was a great night for him. He’s taking his freshman lumps here and there but he’s doing well.”
Overall, the Huskies turned in a strong performance one day after a disappointing setback to Kirtland.
“It was much better than (Wednesday),” Zeigler said. “Evidently, the talking to we had helped. They brought it today. Being the close neighborhoods we are and the rivalry, we said, ‘Let’s make the 87 Rumble a rumble.’ That’s what it’s meant to be with the excitement and the gym was full and the crowd was exciting. There were a lot of exciting matches. It was a good experience.”
Newbury defeated Berkshire, 42-30, in the final round to close out the event with a 2-0 record.
Cardinal 28, Berkshire 27
106: Heiden (B) by forfeit; 113: Klingman (B) by forfeit; 120: Shanower (C) pinned Tribuzzo, 0:32; 126: Bachna (C) pinned Heiss, 3:43; 132: Byler (C) pinned Lustig, 2:45; 138: Surace (B) pinned Stango, 2:23; 145: Rose (C) dec. Malkus, 13-12; 152: Lustig (B) dec. Drebus, 10-3; 160: double forfeit; 170: Perrin (B) by forfeit; 182: double forfeit; 195: Callison (C) by forfeit; 220: double forfeit; 285: double forfeit.
Newbury 54, Cardinal 18
106: Bond (N) by forfeit; 113: Williamson (N) by forfeit; 120: Shanower (C) by forfeit; 126: Bachna (C) by forfeit; 132: Bond (N) pinned Byler, 4:26; 138: Mohar (N) pinned Stango, 0:51; 145: Rose (C) dec. Weston, 6-5; 152: Drebus (C) dec. Zimperman, 4-3; 160: Chambers (N) by forfeit; 170: McKale (N) by forfeit; 182: Piczer (N) by forfeit; 195: Sanders (N) pinned Callison, 0:55; 220: Gray (N) by forfeit; 285: double forfeit.
Newbury 42, Berkshire 30
106: Klingman (B) dec. Bond, 8-6; 113: Tribuzzo (B) pinned Williamson, 1:20; 120: Heiss (B) by forfeit; 126: Lustig (B) by forfeit; 132: Surace (B) dec. Bond, 6-1; 138: Mohar (N) pinned Malkus, 3:05; 145: Couch (N) by forfeit; 152: Lustig (B) def. Weston by DQ; 160: Chambers (N) by forfeit; 170: McKale (N) pinned Perrin, 1:14; 182: Piczer (N) by forfeit; 195: Sanders (N) by forfeit; 220: Gray (N) by forfeit; 285: double forfeit.
