Redhawks lose to West Aurora 25-37
Illinois Matmen article by Steve Nemeth
On Friday, December 3rd, 2010 the Redhawks dropped their DVC opener at West Aurora 25-37. The Hawks are 3-1 on the year, 0-1 DVC.
The dual started at 145 pounds. Kyle Miller lost to Jacquez 3-11. Captain John Graber answered with a 1-0 victory at 152 pounds to bring the team score to 3-4. At 160, John Mixen scored five takedowns in route to a 14-7 decision giving the Redhawks a temporary 6-4 team lead. At 171, Colin Guttosch lost 4-14 but Luke Roth answered with a 15-6 major decision at 189. Luke scored 7 takedowns in his match. With the team score at 10-8, West Aurora won at 215 and 285. Will Damron dropped a 5-18 major decision and James Mitchell was pinned at heavyweight.
Moving back to the 103 pound weight class, sophomore Ryan Porter overturned a 0-4 deficit with an exciting third period fall to bring the Redhawks to within 2 points, 16-18. Dylan Grooss was pinned at 112. In perhaps the most exciting match of the day, Steven Splan pinned Gust in the second period. In that match, Splan ran out to a 5-0 lead, but Gust scored eight points in a topsy-tervy first period that ended 8-0. Splan gained control in the second period and his fall brought the team score to 22-24. Steven Splan won the "I'm Somebody" award for his efforts. That is as close at the Redhawks would get. West Aurora won by forfeit at 125. Cherep lost a hard-fought match against Zinzer at 130 pounds by a score of 4-6. Andrew Meder lost at 135 by a score of 3-13. The 140 pound final match of the night featured two returning state qualifiers, Josh Tardy and Pealstrom. Tardy scored four takedowns to pull away 11-7.
The Redhawks won by tie-breaker criteria 28-27. The JV2 team lost 31-40 and the freshman lost 30-54.