Snider spoils Braves’ holiday with 39-35 upset

DANE FUELLING

WZBD.com

The Bellmont Braves were unable again to field a full line-up and paid the price Tuesday, falling to Snider for the second time in third years after winning 28 in a row over the past three decades. The two teams split the 14 bouts at 7-7, but it was the Panthers who scored more bonus points, winning 39-35.

The Z Team wraps up Tuesday’s match between Snider and Bellmont.

The match hinged on where #14-ranked Tyler Tun (113) would fall in the lineup and that matter gained increased importance when the Braves did not weigh in an eligible 113 for the second straight meet. When the toss went Snider’s way, it was always going to be the Panthers who were going to have the best option of the match with Tun, especially considering the starting weight of 126.

There were likely only a few toss-ups in the matchup to begin with and Snider won 2 of 3 of them, overcoming the advantage gained by the Braves when they brought back recovering Sam Wolpert to the lineup for an extra spark.

Sam Wolpert came agonizingly close to a fall in the early parts of his match at 150. The junior returned early from injury to give the Braves a chance, turning in a gutsy performance. (Photo by Sami Knipstein)

Wolpert came out firing, jumping out to a big lead, but had to settle for a seven-point decision after his major decision hopes were dashed with a late stalling point. Wolpert’s 12-5 victory was as gutsy as any match in recent memory, with the junior still not anywhere near his best.

*Gabe Myers had the move of the night for the Braves with a throw on the edge of the mat to take out DeJuan Clardy, 8-4. (Photo by Sami Knipstein)*

Gabe Myers and Henry Faurote once again teamed up for back-to-back wins, but seniors Ethan Curtis and Will Franze were pinned in the early going, giving Snider plenty of momentum.

The sixth bout of the night came with the score at 12-8 in favor of the home team and Spencer Shively won a wild scramble of a match over freshman Austin Manley at 10-8 at 157.

The two sides traded expected pins, with Gavin Davis and Xavior Palacios keeping Bellmont in the match heading into 215.

Bellmont faced a must-win at 215 with Ryne Fawbush against Jamin Portee and the senior delivered, scoring the fastest fall of the night and giving Bellmont a chance to pull off the win.

Grady Baker was a heavy favorite and took care of business at heavyweight, but the Braves conceded a fall at 106 with Jayland Davis finishing off Jacob Binegar with one second left in the first period. Binegar fought off the pin for seemingly forever, but couldn’t escape the hold before the fall call.

The win at 106 allowed Snider to trot out a JV at 113 to accept the forfeit and bump up Tun to 120. The senior finished business in favor of the home team for a sad ending to the Braves’ Tuesday night.

The team must recover and put in two good days of practice and find a way to bounce back for ten duals at Goshen on Friday and Saturday.

RESULTS

Fort Wayne Snider 39 #2 Bellmont 35

126-Carter Krouse (S) p. Ethan Curtis, 3:26

132-Gabe Myers (B) d. DeJuan Clardy, 8-4

138-Henry Faurote (B) t.f. Deacon Rhodes, 19-4