Braves shock #1 Delta in Saturday night thriller

DANE FUELLING

WZBD.com

Saturday night’s match had everything a wrestling fan could dream of.

The Z Team wraps up a huge victory for the Bellmont Braves after they defeated #1 Delta Saturday night.

History.

*It was a beautiful scene for some high school wrestling with two top-five teams in 2A getting after it at Delta High School.*

High Stakes.

Listen again to our broadcast by clicking on the YouTube link.

Lineup bumps.

Teamwork.

In the end, it was that sense of team that provided the fuel that lit the fires for Bellmont’s upset victory over #1 Delta Saturday night in a hostile environment.

Every wrestler contributed in his own way and either scored enough team points, or saved enough team points, to lead the Braves to a memorable 39-37 victory.

It’s hard to look at Saturday’s win and even determine where the winning points were scored.

Certainly Henry Faurote (pictured below) deserves credit for giving up any dream of walking out of the gym with an unblemished record, sacrificing any hope of victory for a stout defense and a knowledge that he could clinch the match. He did so with a 4-0 loss at 120 to Kaid Jackson.

Or you could credit Chandler Thomas. Without six points from his fall at 138 Saturday, there is no victory. Should the Braves have expected to win six points at that weight with a kid with a 5-7 record? The coaching staff certainly expected each varsity guy to contribute.

When the Braves sent Duke Myers to check in at 165, they had to settle for a forfeit and immediately coach Tim Myers decided to sacrifice Grady Baker and insert Devin Gephart.

The senior’s outstanding performance against a kid with a state medal is one of the best examples of why a senior should stay on the team after losing his spot in the lineup. While classmates have quit the team, Gephart has not, and he had a shining moment Saturday night.

*The Braves’ bench can only wait and watch to see if their early lead holds against Delta.*

Of course, a lot of credit has to go to Cole Mendez and Keagan Martin, who were asked to go up in weight and record victories, and also to Grady Baker, who understood his role and sat out the night but remained there cheering on his teammates.

*Keagan Martin had to wrestle both an opponent and a big weight disadvantage Saturday night, but his victory at heavyweight was key to the Braves’ efforts in beating Delta.*

What this means for the 2A race is anybody’s guess. With Western falling to Jay County, the race for the #1 seed has become much more interesting.

How should Delta be viewed once they return Kolten Rhonemus, especially facing the fact that the Bellmont Braves are likely to be favored in the remainder of their dual meets between now and Team State?