This article and photos are from the Thursday, December 5, 2013, wrestling meets against Erie/Prophetstown and Princeton, IL. They were submitted by Jamie A. Rodriguez.
The 2013-2014 Wrestling Season has started with a bang for the Morrison Mustangs. In years past the Mustangs have never been short on talent. But they have been low in numbers in a sport that needs the work of not five (basketball), not nine (baseball), not 11 (football), but 14 (wrestling) members to work as one to win matches. The Mustangs have never been able to fill a full lineup this early in the year–due to the success on the gridiron, State-regulated weight cutting dates, and injuries. Now that the Mustangs have not only strength in numbers, but individual prowess, this team is being led by lone Senior Tommy Kohl and Junior standouts, Austin Shoup and Austin Keller.
[On Thursday, December 5, 2013,] the Mustangs defeated Princeton, IL, 54-24 to start off the night. The Mustangs received 30 points in forfeits and gave six points back with a forfeit. The Mustangs got pins from Hunter Ferguson, Tommy Kohl, Joe Eads, and Ethan Fischbach as they just dominated a growing Princeton squad.
Morrison Mustangs versus Princeton
VARSITY
145 Hunter Ferguson–Fall–2:33–6-0–Doran Piper
152 Thomas Ottens–FFT–12-0
160 Korey Zigler–FFT–18-0
170 Leather Lewis–Fall–1:47–18-6–Luke Hoffman
182 Tommy Kohl–Fall–0:51–24-6–Dominick Biggs
195 James Thulan–Fall 3:13–24-12–Chaz Williams
220 Trysten Fredrick–FFT–30-12
285 Jesse Lilly–FFT–36-12
106 Joe Eads–Fall–1:23–42-12–Tyler Wood
113 Anthony McCartney–FFT–48-12
120 Cody Vanderlaan–Dec 7-5–48-15–Luke Marselle
126 Ethan Fischbach–Fall–1:42–54-15–Tyler Webster
132 Dylan Keller–Dec 9-2–54-18–Austin Wetsel
138 FFT–54-24– Drew Carpenter
Final score: Morrison 54; Princeton 24.
In the nightcap, the Mustangs tangled with the Erie-Prophetstown men, in a matchup that had Coach Tony Wright curious as to how his boys would man-up against the Conference favorites. Coming into the dual, Erie had a stout lineup with eight returning starters, five of which were returning Sectional qualifiers. The Mustangs had six returning starters, and only two were Sectional qualifiers last year. This dual went back and forth from the get-go. Each team traded pins. Then E/P earned only a three-point decision from Seth Montgomery, a returning Senior, who beat freshmen Thomas Dykema 18-11. Then E/P made a calculated judgment by forfeiting to Junior Austin Shoup. Although the Panthers gave the Mustangs six points with that forfeit, they picked up only eight points in the next two matches. From there the Mustangs would tally five wins in a row. In a dagger match, Freshman Ethan Fischbach pinned his opponent. This solidified the Mustang victory, making a 20-point margin going into the final three matches of the night. This gave E/P the possibility–at the most–to only cover 18 of the needed 20 points.
The Mustangs have not beaten the E/P Panthers in the last ten years, due to wrestling being a numbers game. Although this was a big win for the Mustangs, a test is still in front of them, with #13 Sherrard and #14 Lena-Winslow coming up. The Mustangs will look to refocus, as they will be tested by State-caliber individuals from each of the upcoming teams.
Morrison Mustangs versus #18 Erie/Prophetstown-Tampico-Lyndon
152 John Anderson–Fall–1:33–0-6–Dylan Binion
160 Austin Keller–Fall–0:44–6-6–Duke Carber
170 Thomas Dykema–Dec. 18-11–6-9–Seth Montgomery
182 #6 Austin Shoup–FFT–12-9
195 Tommy Kohl–T-Fall–22-7–12-14–Nick Willimas
220 Parker Zickert–Dec. 12-7–12-17–Noah Eads
285 Tyler Todd–Dec. 6-5–15-17–Jace Bright
106 Joe Eads–Fall–1:19–21-17–Logan Voss
113 Cody Vanderlaan–MD 3-5–25-17–Kerrick Cameron
120 Phoenix Parks–Fall–2:34–31-17–Damien Schacherbouer
126 Ethan Fischbach–Fall–3:30–37-17–Hunter Littrel
132 Dylan Keller–Dec. 6-3–37-20– Josh Bowling
138 FFT–FFT
145 Hunter Ferguson–Dec. 8-7–40-20– #16 Josh Wheeler
Final score: Morrison 40; E/P-L-T 20.
Freshman Joe Eads of Morrison pins Logan Voss of Erie.
Freshman Ethan Fischbach of Morrison pins Hunter Littrel of Erie.
