Thursday, March 28, 2024
PHOTO BY JOHNNIE PHILLIPS Westfield’s Cannon Wacek drives his feet as he looks to roll his Pine Island opponent to his back. Wacek was successful in his attempt and earned a win by fall after securing top position and finishing the pin.PHOTO BY JOHNNIE PHILLIPS Westfield’s Bo Zwiener works an arm bar as he attempts to sit through his Pine Island opponent and secure the pin. Zwiener and teammate Cade Christianson were the only two Westfield wrestlers to remain undefeated at the home meet.

Westfield fights for 1-2 finish at home

The Westfield Razorbacks hosted Fillmore Central, Pine Island and Red Rock Central last week where the team fought hard to finish 1-2 overall across three duals.

Westfield started its day off with the biggest loss of the night after a battle-ready Pine Island squad took the Razorbacks for a ride, winning 52-27.

The Razorbacks were forced to play catch-up right off the bat against the Panthers as the opposition earned bonus points across its first four matches with three falls and one major decision to take a 22-0 lead.

However, putting a halt to the Panthers’ momentum were 132- and 138-pounders Cannon Wacek and Bo Zwiener, both of whom won their matches by fall to cut the lead to 22-12.

Both Westfield and Pine Island would go on to split fall victories over the next two matches to keep a 10-point margin at 28-18, but the dual would get out of hand for the Razorbacks soon afterward.

Pine Island swept weights 160, 170, and 182 with fall victories to jump out to a 46-18 lead, which put the final dagger in Westfield’s chances of winning the dual.

Despite the loss, the Razorbacks bounced back to put themselves in a stronger position to win against Fillmore Central in the team’s second dual of the day.

After dropping a major decision at 106 pounds to trail 4-0, Westfield accrued an 18-4 lead behind three straight forfeits from Fillmore Central.

Fillmore Central did manage to recover six points with a win by fall at 138 pounds to cut the lead to 18-10, but Westfield had immediate answers.

For the second time on the night, Zwiener and Cade Christianson both won by fall to hand Westfield 12 additional points and put the Razorbacks in the driver’s seat with a 30-10 lead.

Westfield appeared primed to take home the win with the momentum and a 20-point lead, but Fillmore Central had other plans.

Instead, the Falcons emerged with a 44-30 win after a dominant 6-0 stretch to close out the meet that saw Fillmore Central take home four wins by fall, one forfeit, and a major decision.

Now standing at 0-2 on the night, Westfield had one last opportunity to right the course.

Red Rock Central took a 4-0 lead after the 106-pound match, but Westfield would turn up the heat starting at 113 pounds.

Starting the momentum for Westfield was Kevin Hodge, who dominated his opponent en route to an 18-0 tech fall.

Now leading 5-4, Westfield kept its momentum and secured 22 points across its next four matches.

With two wins by forfeit, one fall victory by 126-pounder Gage Mullenbach, and a 19-7 major decision from Zwiener, the Razorbacks racked up their biggest lead of the duals at 27-6.

Both sides would go on to fight in a near stalemate to the end of the dual. Westfield was able to hold on and win 40-30 to end the home meet on a high note.

Staying perfect for the Razorbacks across all three duals were Zwiener and Christianson, both of whom earned two falls and one major decision.

Westfield will look to add another win to its record when the squad travels to the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire for the Eau Claire Memorial tournament, scheduled to begin Thursday, Dec. 29 at 9 a.m.

 

 

 

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