The Knoxville Boys Wrestling Squad opened the season with a hard fought meet against Nevada and fell one point shy in a 43-42 decision. The meet was tied at the end of the bouts at 42 but the Cubs won on criteria due to Knoxville being assessed a penalty points during the meet. Trailing 42-36 and needing a pin to force the tie…285 pounder Regan Roberts pined his opponent in 2:35. Roberts said he wished he could have finished the match sooner but was glad to get the first match out of the way in preparation for this weekend. Coach Josh Link was concerned about how ready his guys would be and in the end…he was pleased with oout well they competed…
Link: “We competed as a team as a whole. We’re really not worried about wins and losses just yet, but we competed and that’s all we can ask of these kids.”
Also getting pin wins for Knoxville on Thursday was Carter Marshall, Jaden Alexander, Mason Sage, Jace Kading, and Justin Flesher while Gio Santiz won via forfeit. Knoxville travels to the Nodaway Valley Invitational on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Knoxville Girls Wrestling Squad had a dominating night at Wayne going undefeated to place 1st at the Wayne Duals with a 4-0 record. The Panthers beat West Central Valley 48-30, Colfax-Mingo 39-30, Wayne 60-12 and Central Decatur 48-21. Going unbeaten on the night was Pyper Smith, Aaliyah Swanson, Serenity Turner, and Mariah Ripperger. Getting three wins was Laila Pedicini, Cally Landis, Andie Branson and Isabelle Sinnard. Knoxville heads to the Newton Invitational on Saturday.