March 19, 2024

Raider grapplers split a pair of conference duals

DES MOINES — Five wrestlers from Collins-Maxwell/Baxter got their hands raised twice Thursday night, but the Raiders could not record a Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference sweep after falling behind early to Saydel.

CMB did rally late to knock off Greene County 39-33 but dropped a 45-35 decision to the host Eagles later in the night.

Raider senior Jake Hennick continued his dominance on the mat with two more wins at 126, one by fall and one by technical fall. He is now 10-1 on the season with his only loss coming to Class 2A No. 5 Tristan Clark of Prairie City-Monroe.

Joining Hennick in going 2-0 on Thursday night were Charles Robertson (220), Ethan Cozad (145), Logan Mitchell (195) and Archer McFadden (285).

Robertson claimed two pins for the Raiders, while McFadden and Mitchell both earned one pin and were given one forfeit. Cozad was awarded two forfeit wins.

The CMB-Greene County dual was close throughout. The Raiders fell behind early but rallied with back-to-back wins at 120 and 126 to make it 9-6. Consecutive pins by the Rams put them back in front, but CMB retook the lead after back-to-back forfeit wins from Cozad and Evan Bianchi (152).

Greene County regained control though, this time winning three in a row to go up 33-21, but Mitchell, Robertson and McFadden all recorded first-period pins to push the Raiders to the dramatic win.

Saydel lost an early 15-0 lead but recorded four key pins the rest of the way in its win over CMB in the final dual of the night.

Cody Galbraith (182) and Mitchell both got handed forfeits to put the Raiders on the board and then Robertson earned his second pin of the night at 220. McFadden’s win by forfeit moved the Raider lead to 24-15, but the Eagles got key pins at 113, 120, 132 and 138 to lock up the dual win.

Hennick claimed five points for CMB with a technical fall victory and Cozad won given a forfeit in the final match of the dual. The Raiders forfeited two weights to Saydel as well.

The Eagles went 2-0 on the night. They also beat Greene County 39-28.

CMB next wrestles Saturday at the North Polk Invitational. Action from Alleman begins at 10 a.m.