Week Nine: VASJ

On Friday, we had a short trip over to VASJ for what has become an annual match on the last week of the season, ala Ohio State vs. Michigan. It was supposed to be a quad. with Shaw, Cleveland Hts., and us, however, Shaw and Cleveland Hts. cancelled. VASJ brought in Dayton Horizon, coached by a former VASJ heavyweight. We took on a depleted Horizon in the second match and destroyed them to the score of 78-6. We won 13 of 14 weight classes, one match away from a shut out.
The headliner was taking on VASJ, a team that we have not defeated in three years. We started the match with two forfeits from VASJ to take a 12-0 lead. The next match, Freshman Mike Figer wrestled to a hard fought 6-0 decision in a loss. Score after 3 matches, Euclid 12, VASJ 3. Freshman Jared Clinton also dropped the next match by fall. Score Euclid 12, VASJ 9. Reggie Phillips took the forfeit at 130 that allowed us to extend our lead to 18-9. We took a gamble at 135 and bumped Darsheed Mustafa up a weight to face Russell Harrison of VASJ. Darsheed took a tough 12-3 major decision loss and VASJ was down only 18-13. Once again they had to forfeit a weight and we extended our lead 24-13, all on forfeits. Zak Adkins was the first wrestler to get us on the board with a 1:26 pin of his VASJ foe. However, he lost a team point by throwing his headgear to the bench. Score Euclid 29, VASJ 13. Next up was another senior, David Cozart, who took an early lead before running out of gas and losing by fall. Euclid 29, VASJ 19. Rynell Roper got us back on track with a third period pin over a game opponent. Euclid 35, VASJ 19. Next, Senior Dylan Norwood attacked his opponent for a quick first period pin. Euclid 41, VASJ 19. Mike Hobson, subbing for Lamar Gunter, took on VASJ state qualifier, Phil Wellington and took one for the team. He was dismantled and pinned in the second period. Euclid 41, VASJ 25. Next up was Noah Brown who was also taken out by his VASJ foe in a first period pin. Euclid 41, VASJ 31. The last match was another forfeit to make the final score Euclid 47, VASJ 31. Nice win Panthers!
With the two victories, the Panthers finish 14-8 in dual meets on the season.