The 2012-13 Guthrie Wrestling season started with a home dual for the BlueJays as they stepped up a class to take on the Edmond Memorial Bulldogs.
The dual was competitive throughout the evening until the ‘Dogs pulled away by winning five of the last six weight classes en route to a 48-30 win in front of a packed GHS gymnasium.
Each team had two forfeits. For Guthrie, Bryan Dutton and Blake Finley go to 1-0 on the year without touching the mat. In addition, the teams combined for eight pins with Memorial gaining the edge with five.
Guthrie’s Conner Howard, Alex Nelson and Timothy O’Connor, state qualifiers from a year ago, each pinned their opponent.
Howard needed 58 seconds to pin his 220 pound opponent. The junior quickly scored a take down before collecting the pin to tie the dual up 6-6.
The quick, sophomore Nelson did not need much time in the second period to pin his 126 pound opponent. Nelson controlled the entire match and allowed his opponent to his feet for the lone point he allowed and was leading 6-1 when the pin came.
For O’Connor, he was leading 7-0 in the second period when he pinned his opponent with 34 seconds left. Much like Nelson, O’Connor controlled his opponent and had a commanding 7-0 at the time of the pin.
With the back-to-back pins, the Jays held a 24-21 lead, but that is when Edmond took over of the middle weights with back-to-back of their own and go up 33-24 and never look back.
The dual was the for Justin Stevens after being named as the Jays head coach after the resignation of Jack O’Connor (video below).
The Jays will participate in their first tournament of the year when they go to the annual Putnam City Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
Guthrie 30, Edmond Memorial 48
106 – Guthrie Forfeit
113 – Hunter Betchan pinned by Delay :48
120 – Brian Herbst defeated by Stovall 21-12
126 – Alex Nelson pins Baker 2:11
132 – Timothy O’Connor pins Fana 3:26
138 – Joe Bennett pinned by Nunley :47
145 – Adam Noriega pinned by Moore :36
152 – Tyler Mahan defeated by Warren 5-2
160 – Bryan Dutton wins by Forfeit
170 – Guthrie Forfeit
182 – Idea Alexander pinned by Tristian 1:06
195 – Andrew Toney pinned by Morgan 3:15
220 – Conner Howard pins West:58
Hwt – Blake Finley wins by Forfeit
No body for 103? And why not bump Dutton to wrestle at 170 and put a spare body in the 160 spot? Dutton can handle the 10 lbs with his strength and talent…..I know we had 2 forfeits also, but I think you have to match up to your opponent.