DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – There was plenty of build-up for Tuesday night’s showdown between undefeated Bellmont and Adams Central, but in the end, the Braves had two more victories in their back pockets and finished with a 42-31 triumph at home in front of an enormous crowd.
The dual went much like it was expected and the Braves settled for an 8-6 margin in bout wins, with Adams Central claiming the only decision on the night, an 11-6 win at 150 where senior Mav Dubach stayed unbeaten on the year by beating Sam Wolpert.
Perhaps the only other toss-up on the night was at 113. Trailing 6-1 and with his choice in the third period, Owen Macklin went for the home run headlock, tossing Bradley Baker to the mat. The talented BHS ninth grader rolled through the attempt, however, with just enough strength to fight off the desperation and hip over, pinning Macklin with 35 seconds left in the bout, all but clinching victory for the Braves in the dual meet.
Baker’s win continued a good run of form for the Braves, who faced an early 12-0 deficit on the night.
Adams Central had picked up two falls in the opening two bouts, seemingly claiming victory over a Bellmont lineup switch that saw Austin Manley move to 175. Xander Schwartz never looked in trouble and the Jets were likely satisfied with only conceding five points at 190 to Xavior Palacios, with Max Nussbaum avoiding the cradle for three periods.
Most in the crowd expected the two teams to trade six points at 215 and 285, and despite decent efforts from Blake Christner and Ryan Beer, both eventually succumbed to the fall, sending the dual to 106 with Adams Central leading 18-11.
The lightweights were perhaps the biggest unknown of the night, with Jacob Binegar returning from injury and wrestling for the first time this year against AC backup Ezra Liechty, who is in the lineup while Cruz Bowers recovers from an injury sustained at the ACAC Duals.
The bout was filled with drama (see gallery above, photos by Kristen Kaehr), but it was ultimately three takedowns for Binegar that gave him a cushion to overcome a late reversal by Liechty.
Bellmont continued eliminating the possibility of a late AC comeback with no-nonsense pins from Oliver Faurote and Ben Mills. The Jets’ chances of victory further deteriorated when Luke Ruble stayed off his back and was never turned by Kale Beer, who had to accept a reluctant 13-2 major.
A tech fall by Henry Faurote at 138 meant that Gabe Myers would have the chance to wrap it up, and he did just that, overcoming a nice takedown by Myles Kaehr to secure an 18-7 major decision.
Adams Central claimed two consolation prizes with the victories by Dubach and Dylan Ogg, who built an 11-0 lead against Charlie Faurote before winning by fall.
The victory set the Braves up for a great seed in the Team State Tournament. They won’t wrestle another dual before the seeds are announced and they’ll be one of two unbeaten teams in the 2A field, along with Hanover Central. The Garrett Railroaders were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten Tuesday, but their loss to #1 and nationally-ranked Brownsburg will be of little detriment to their seeding. Hanover Central, Garrett and Bellmont will all be competing in the Al Smith Classic in Mishawaka next week, as well as #4 New Prairie. WZBD will continue its coverage of the Al Smith on 92.7 FM with full coverage of day two for the Braves’ surviving wrestlers.
For the Jets, their first loss of the season will, much like Garrett, be of little consequence to their 1A seeding. Only one 1A team has a victory over any of the top four 2A teams, and that was a one-point victory by Southmont against #4 New Prairie.
The Jets will look to rebound with a 10-0 performance at the Broncho Duals in Lafayette next week. WZBD will cover two rounds on the morning of December 31st of that tournament. A 24-1 overall record, with the only blemish being an 11-point loss to Bellmont, would give the team a very strong case for a top-4 seed at the 1A Team State event.
Bellmont 42 Adams Central 31
165-Brason Schortgen (AC) p. Owen Shane, 1:31
175-Xander Schwartz (AC) p. Austin Manley, 3:40
190-Xavior Palacios (B) t.f. Max Nussbaum, 17-2
215-Ethan Funk (AC) p. Blake Christner, 3:35
285-Grady Baker (B) p. Ryan Beer, 3:34
106-Jacob Binegar (B) m.d. Ezra Liechty, 10-2
113-Bradley Baker (B) p. Owen Macklin, 5:25
120-Oliver Faurote (B) p. Jaden Feasel, :39
126-Ben Mills (B) p. Coltan Everett, :39
132-Kale Beer (AC) m.d. Luke Ruble, 13-2
138-Henry Faurote (B) t.f. Jackson Bingham, 17-2
144-Gabe Myers (B) m.d. Myles Kaehr, 18-7
150-Mav Dubach (AC) d. Sam Wolpert, 11-6
157-Dylan Ogg (AC) p. Charlie Faurote, 3:50
Junior Varsity Matches
106-Camron Barger (B) p. Jon Miller, :36
157-Kade Cutler (B) d. Gideon Mihm, 14-12
175-Kyle Shaffer (B) p. Griffin Bluhm, 3:16
175-Hank Nussbaum (AC) p. Braxton Arriaga, 1:25
190-Kellan Manley (AC) p. Carter Sutton, :35
285-Kaleb Hackenjos (AC) p. Xavier Bodle, 2:45
About the Author
