March 19, 2024

Slow starts plague PCM in HOIAC triangular

NEVADA — The Prairie City-Monroe wrestling team fought back from a 34-0 deficit against host Nevada on Thursday night, but the Cubs won the final contested match in a 46-36 victory.

Wrestlers from PCM got their hands raised in five straight matches during the rally, but a Chance Steffes pin over Caleb Peter locked up the dual victory for Nevada.

The Mustangs also lost 70-9 to Roland-Story in a Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference triangular. PCM did not have the services of four regular starters — Ron Marshall at 170 pounds, Chace Palm at 106, James Maggard at 145 or Xavier Miller at 120.

Class 2A No. 5 Tristan Clark and Trent Malone were the only two Mustangs to have their hand raised twice.

Malone was handed two forfeits at heavyweight. Clark remained unbeaten on the season with a win by decision against Roland-Story and a win by forfeit against the Cubs.

Clark bested 2A No. 6 Parker Witthuhn of Roland-Story, 3-2, in the featured match of that dual.

Nevada jumped out to a 34-0 lead thanks to three pins, a forfeit victory and a major decision.

Jaret Maggard put the Mustangs on the board with a win by forfeit at 182 and the Clayton Welch tacked on six more points with a second-period pin at 195.

Leevi Telfer (220), Malone (285), Jakeb Fenton (106) and Clark (126) all had forfeit victories for PCM, but the rally could not be completed.

The Norseman got out to a 18-0 lead before Clark’s decision at 126 put the Mustangs on the board. Roland-Story won nine straight matches after that to seal the dual win.

Malone was given a forfeit in the final weight to make it 70-9.

The short-handed Mustangs next wrestle Saturday at the North Polk Invitational. Action from Alleman begins at 10 a.m.