BELLEVILLE - The Sugar River wrestling team faced an uphill climb Thursday with injuries forcing some of its top performers into cheerleading roles.
The short-handed Raiders battled until the end, but lost a dual match 40-38 to Columbus. The Raiders had four starting wrestlers sidelined, including Kalvin York (160 pounds), a University of Wisconsin wrestling recruit and two-time state runner-up, freshman Ricky Ace (112) and senior Nick Gunkel (145). Sugar River also gave up for forfeits.
Sugar River coach Ken Engelke said York's still recovering from a concussion he suffered last weekend.
"He (York) should be ready and get cleared in the next couple of days," Engelke said. "It could have been different. We are not going to make excuses."
In one of the most thrilling matches of the night, Sugar River senior Matt Saunders at 130 pulled out an 8-6 overtime win over Columbus senior Dee O'Neil. Saunders trailed O'Neil 6-4 entering the third period. He was awarded a point on a locked hands call against O'Neil. Saunders came up with an escape with 45 seconds left to force the overtime.
Saunders took advantage of his second chance, sealing the victory with a takedown.
"I just really needed a takedown," Saunders said. "I knew I could get it."
It was all a blur to Saunders.
"I didn't even know how I did it," he said. "It was an adrenaline rush through my body. I was just hoping I had enough left. He made a mistake and I almost pinned him."
From there the Raiders fell behind 12-3 after forfeits at 135 and 140. Sugar River junior Dan Nolden (145) defeated Columbus freshman Ray Steger in dominating fashion, pinning him in 4:14.
Sugar River came back from a 22-8 deficit after Columbus forfeited four straight matches at 171, 189, 215 and heavyweight to give the Raiders a short-lived lead at 26-22.
The Raiders then forfeited at 103 and 112, which gave the Cardinals a 34-32 lead. The defining match came at 119, where Columbus senior Peter Braun pinned Sugar River freshman Brooks Hendrickson to seal it, by pushing the Cardinals' lead to 40-32 with one match left.
Hendrickson wrestled aggressive and had some success with shooting.
"That's tough when you have a freshman," Engelke said. "They need to learn a little of that gamesmanship. With a decision at that weight instead of a pin, we could have easily won."
In the final match, Sugar River junior Dylan Riley at 125 pinned Columbus senior Bradley Edwards in 5:03.
"We knew we were a little light-handed," Engelke said. "We were hoping to stay in the match."
The short-handed Raiders battled until the end, but lost a dual match 40-38 to Columbus. The Raiders had four starting wrestlers sidelined, including Kalvin York (160 pounds), a University of Wisconsin wrestling recruit and two-time state runner-up, freshman Ricky Ace (112) and senior Nick Gunkel (145). Sugar River also gave up for forfeits.
Sugar River coach Ken Engelke said York's still recovering from a concussion he suffered last weekend.
"He (York) should be ready and get cleared in the next couple of days," Engelke said. "It could have been different. We are not going to make excuses."
In one of the most thrilling matches of the night, Sugar River senior Matt Saunders at 130 pulled out an 8-6 overtime win over Columbus senior Dee O'Neil. Saunders trailed O'Neil 6-4 entering the third period. He was awarded a point on a locked hands call against O'Neil. Saunders came up with an escape with 45 seconds left to force the overtime.
Saunders took advantage of his second chance, sealing the victory with a takedown.
"I just really needed a takedown," Saunders said. "I knew I could get it."
It was all a blur to Saunders.
"I didn't even know how I did it," he said. "It was an adrenaline rush through my body. I was just hoping I had enough left. He made a mistake and I almost pinned him."
From there the Raiders fell behind 12-3 after forfeits at 135 and 140. Sugar River junior Dan Nolden (145) defeated Columbus freshman Ray Steger in dominating fashion, pinning him in 4:14.
Sugar River came back from a 22-8 deficit after Columbus forfeited four straight matches at 171, 189, 215 and heavyweight to give the Raiders a short-lived lead at 26-22.
The Raiders then forfeited at 103 and 112, which gave the Cardinals a 34-32 lead. The defining match came at 119, where Columbus senior Peter Braun pinned Sugar River freshman Brooks Hendrickson to seal it, by pushing the Cardinals' lead to 40-32 with one match left.
Hendrickson wrestled aggressive and had some success with shooting.
"That's tough when you have a freshman," Engelke said. "They need to learn a little of that gamesmanship. With a decision at that weight instead of a pin, we could have easily won."
In the final match, Sugar River junior Dylan Riley at 125 pinned Columbus senior Bradley Edwards in 5:03.
"We knew we were a little light-handed," Engelke said. "We were hoping to stay in the match."
