If the Reeths-Puffer wrestling team keeps performing like it did on Wednesday, a lot of good things could happen over the next few weeks as the trophy season gets rolling.
The Rockets traveled to Mona Shores and completely dominated the Sailors 61-18 in their final O-K Green conference dual match of the season.
The victory left R-P with a 4-1 conference record headed into Friday’s conference tournament at Byron Center.
The Rockets will be trying to capture a share of their fourth straight O-K Green championship, but will need to win the tournament to do so, because they are currently in second place behind Byron Center.
They definitely have the personnel to pull it off, which they demonstrated on Wednesday.
Landon Learn
The Rockets won seven of the 10 matches that took place while Mona Shores forfeited in the other four weight classes. Four R-P victories came by pin while two were by technical fall.
“We got off to a hot start and didn’t look back,” said R-P head coach Brad Cowles, whose team has an overall 23-7 record this season. “Our guys were quicker and more physical on the mat, and the score shows it.”
The Rockets who won by pin, earning six team points apiece, were Devin Welch (215 pounds), Max Knowlton (120), Zayden Zionicki (138) and Tanner Cowles (157).
Winning by technical fall and earning five points apiece were Braxton VanHohenstein (106) and Cory Judd (132).
The other winner was R-P freshman standout Landon Learn, who jumped up a weight class, from 120 to 126, to take on Mona Shores’ undefeated and state-ranked Mario Curiel.
Learn led 7-2 after one period and 7-6 after the second. Curiel scored the only point of the third period, tying the match and sending it to overtime.
Devin Welch
Learn got a three-point takedown in OT to win the thrilling matchup, 10-7.
He is now 38-0 on the season.
Another big victory came at 215 pounds, where Welch took on Mona Shores’ Davis McFarland, the opponent he lost to 5-4 in the recent GMAA tournament.
Welch completely turned the tables on McFarland, using his speed, athleticism and aggression to pin his opponent in the second round.
Welch now has a 25-12 record.