April 30, 2024

Cardinal wrestlers drop LHC dual to Mustangs

By Jocelyn Sheets

Newton’s Alex Bentley goes for a takedown during a home match earlier this season. Bentley pinned his opponent at 126 pounds Thursday against host Dallas Center-Grimes. The Cardinals lost the Little Hawkeye Conference dual, 40-34. They compete in the LHC tournanment Saturday at Norwalk. (Jocelyn Sheets)

GRIMES — In the final regular-season wrestling dual, Newton’s Cardinals came up short against host Dallas Center-Grimes Thursday. The Mustangs pulled out a 40-34 win over the Cardinals in Little Hawkeye Conference action.

Newton’s varsity wrestlers turn around quickly to compete in the Little Hawkeye Conference tournament Saturday at Norwalk. Matches begin at 10 a.m. at Norwalk High School.

The Cardinals won six matches against the Mustangs.

Newton lost by technical falls at 145 pounds, Justice Borger, and 160 pounds, Earl Kimmel. J.T. Thongvanh lost 9-3 to eighth-ranked Blake Wolinski in the 170-pound match and Jordan Henning lost a 16-2 major decision to DCG’s Dakota Clausen at 182.

The Cardinals were behind 23-0 in the dual before Ray Schroder got Newton’s first team points. Schroder dominated the 195-pound match, beating Zach Collins in a major decision, 20-8.

Newton forfeited the 220-pound match and trailed 29-4. The Cardinals won the next three matches by pins.

Joey Wright pinned Bryce Shutt in 3 minutes, 34 seconds at 285. Koby Hull put Bryce Murano’s shoulders to the mat at the 4:45 mark of the 106-pound match. Hunter Versteegh pinned Ben Carr in 4:53 at 113.

Newton’s Cole Peters lost by a 16-1 technical fall to third-ranked Trevor Murano in the 120-pound match. Alex Bentley and Bryce Tish claimed wins by pinning Andrew Williams and Reed Hillenga at 126 and 132, respectively.

Newton had caught DCG. It was tied 34-34 with one match remaining. Zac Ross gave the Mustangs the team win by pinning the Cardinals’ Tanner Petro in 46 seconds in the 138-pound match.

Dallas Center-Grimes (DCG) 40,

Newton (N) 34.0

145: Dallas Miles, DCG, tech. fall Justice Borger, N, 4:49 15-0. 152: Nick Brushaber, DCG, forf. 160: Tomah Leamah, DCG, tech. fall Earl Kimmel, N, 4:19 21-5. 170: Blake Wolinski, DCG, dec. Jeffrey Thongvanh, N, 9-3. 182: Dakota Clausen, DCG, maj. dec. Jordan Henning, N, 13-2. 195: Ray Schroder, N, maj. dec. Zach Collins, DCG, 20-8. 220: Andrew Seim, DCG, forf. . 285: Joey Wright, N, pinned Bryce Shutt, DCG, 3:34. 106: Koby Hull, N, pinned Bryce Murano, DCG, 4:45. 113: Hunter Versteegh, N, pinned Ben Carr, DCG, 4:53. 120: Trevor Murano, DCG, tech. fall Cole Peters, N, 2:00 16-1. 126: Alex Bentley, N, pinned Andrew Williams, DCG, 0:54. 132: Bryce Tish, N, pinned Reed Hillenga, DCG, 3:21. 138: Zac Ross, DCG, pinned Tanner Petro, N, 0:46.