Wabash proved its number-15 ranking in the latest national polls was no fluke, winning five of the final six matches against Tri-State Wednesday night to hand the Thunder a 24-13 loss on the wrestling mats at Chadwick Court.
The Little Giants, 15th in the latest Brute-Adidas/NWCA Division III poll, trailed 4-0 after the first match before junior Garrett Pino took control in his 133-pound bout. Pino opened with an early take down, then toyed with Tri-States' Bryan Wight throughout the rest match, scoring an 18-2 technical fall to put Wabash up 5-4.
Tri-State would take the next two matches to open a 10-5 lead after tough overtime loss at 149 pounds by Wabash's Jared Tribbet on a takedown near the edge of the mat. Steve Mosier evened the score at 157 pounds, earning a technical fall over Corey Boyles to make it 10-10 midway through the meet.
The Thunder would score their final victory of the night with an 11-5 win at 165 pounds. Senior Joe Seger started the final four-bout winning streak for Wabash with a 15-4 major decision at 174 pounds over Louis Posa. Will Clarke followed with another major decision, this time an 11-3 win at 194 pounds to give the Little Giants an 18-13 edge in the team score. Keith Garrard then sealed the victory with a 12-5 win at 197 pounds over Jerod Agler. Garrett Thiel completed the team victory by winning 5-1 at heavyweight over Chris Wolf in the final match of the night.
The Little Giants return to action January 28th for the annual Monon Bell Duals. Matches at Chadwick Court will begin at 9 a.m.
WABASH 24, TRI-STATE 13
125 - Levi Mundy (TS) won by major decision over Stephen Iles (W) 11-2
133 - Garrett Pino (W) won by technical fall over Bryan Wight (TS) 18-2
141 - Ryan Lineberry (TS) defeated Nick Henninger (W) 10-7
149 - Kyle Pittman (TS) defeated Jared Tribbet (W) 3-1 in overtime
157 - Steve Mosier (W) won by technical fall over Corey Boyles (TS) 17-2
165 - Donny Bryant (TS) defeated Ryan Pritchard (W) 11-5
174 - Joe Seger (W) won by major decision over Louis Posa (TS) 15-4
184 - Will Clarke (W) won by major decision over John Stariha (TS) 11-3
194 - Keith Garrard (W) defeated Jerod Agler (TS) 12-5
285 - Garrett Thiel (W) defeated Chris Wolf (TS) 5-1
Photos - (Top Right) Wabash 133-pounder Garrett Pino works for more points against Bryan Wight.
(Bottom Left) Steve Mosier tied the team score at 10-10 with his 17-2 victory by technical fall at 157 pounds.