Edited to correct the wrong results from a couple of matches.
The Titusville Rockets were told prior to Friday night's match against the Slippery Rock Rockets that if they won at 139 pounds they could have Saturday off from practice. It was a foregone conclusion that they would win the match with the better wrestlers in most weight classes and the known forfeits coming. But three matches were not going to be predicted wins and head coach Joel Stearns wanted to incentivize - especially the 139 match where his son had a very tough challenge.
Nate Stearns faced a talented and undefeated freshman at 139 pounds. Coming off his big Tool City championship, Titusville's junior 139-pounder had some confidence but Slippery Rock's Zac Tuberville is state-ranked and highly touted. "We knew we wanted that match - to see where we were at," Stearns said of his son. "We were ready for that match. I thought he wrestled really well, in fact, I thought he could have maybe scored a few more points." Even with the 8-2 decision the elder Stearns has some teachable notes for his wrestler. "I thought he scored a little bit and wrestled a little conservative rather than all gas, no brakes, but we'll work on that. He wrestled well and he wrestled good enough to win."
Despite the coach's pre-match means of pumping up his squad, Stearns admitted with the busy part of the season coming up he was holding practice regardless. "We can't miss two days of practice," he laughed.
Nate Stearns faced a talented and undefeated freshman at 139 pounds. Coming off his big Tool City championship, Titusville's junior 139-pounder had some confidence but Slippery Rock's Zac Tuberville is state-ranked and highly touted. "We knew we wanted that match - to see where we were at," Stearns said of his son. "We were ready for that match. I thought he wrestled really well, in fact, I thought he could have maybe scored a few more points." Even with the 8-2 decision the elder Stearns has some teachable notes for his wrestler. "I thought he scored a little bit and wrestled a little conservative rather than all gas, no brakes, but we'll work on that. He wrestled well and he wrestled good enough to win."
Despite the coach's pre-match means of pumping up his squad, Stearns admitted with the busy part of the season coming up he was holding practice regardless. "We can't miss two days of practice," he laughed.
| Another big match Friday was the lightest weight class - 107. Sawyer Wolfkiel faced the talented Lexi Doerflinger. The match was a grueling 5-0 decision for Wolfkiel that went the distance. "She's tough," Stearns said. "We knew that was going to be a match. Sawyer wrestled his butt off, he wrestled well, I'm real proud of him." |  |
Titusville got a little pin happy with Coleman Huck, Trenton Rodgers, Gavin Donaldson, Kameron Mong and Johnathan Miller all recording falls. Slippery Rock's only points came at 215 when Braiden Reich bullied his way to a pin over Burke Hancock. At the end of the night, Titusville won 60-6.
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"These guys are working hard in the wrestling room, they're going out there and scoring points trying to get pins, you know - I'm happy," Stearns said.
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The Rockets won on the road 57-12 against Youngsville on Wednesday. They will host Union City next Wednesday before heading to Clearfield next weekend for the Bison Duels.
Their last home meet will be against Warren on Jan. 25 and they will get a good tune-up for the post-season at the well-respected Fred Bell Tournament Jan. 27 and 28 in Grove City.
Titusville is currently 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the region.
Their last home meet will be against Warren on Jan. 25 and they will get a good tune-up for the post-season at the well-respected Fred Bell Tournament Jan. 27 and 28 in Grove City.
Titusville is currently 8-2 overall and 3-1 in the region.
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