By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
Even with the expected twists and turns of a Mudsock battle, Hamilton Southeastern wrestling coach Kyle Poyer knew his upper weights would come through.
The Royals held off a charge by Fishers during the middle-weights portion of the Mudsock dual wrestling meet, which took place Wednesday evening at Southeastern. The Royals powered through the final five matches – four pins and a technical fall – to claim a 50-18 victory.
“In the last week, our kids have wrestled nearly 12 matches,” said Poyer. “Our kids are a little worn out, but at the same time they’re a little battle-hardened. They’re continuing to grow. I think we’re starting to see our wrestlers be a little more tough, a little more physical, a little more aggressive and that’s really starting to pay dividends for them. It’s exciting to see.
The meet started at 113 pounds, and HSE took the first four matches. Sam Crousore won at 113 on a 19-4 technical fall, Jacob Lemeiux (at 120) and Reece Luhmann (at 126) were decision winners, and Blake Forbes got the first pin of the meet in the 132-pound bout.
That put the Royals up 17-0. That’s when the Tigers began their run, roaring to win the next two matches by fall. Alexander Strueder took the 138-pound match and Josh Reardon won at 145, both getting their pins in the second period.
Southeastern’s Ronan Hiner won at 152 by major decision, then Fishers took the next two bouts. Teegan Heiniger won a dramatic 160-pound match on a last-minute reversal, then JD Farrell was victorious at 170 by decision.
The Tigers were now within 21-18, but the Royals would not allow them another win. Konnor Haehl started things by taking the match of the night, winning at 182 pounds on a pin in overtime. That got Southeastern rolling, and it won the next three matches – Andrew Irick at 195, Crae Kunkleman at 220 and Taylor Shuey at 285 – by fall.
Jacob Simone finished the meet as it began, winning at 106 pounds by technical fall.
“We knew we had some advantages in the upper weights and we had some really experienced kids there,” said Poyer. “I knew as long as we kept it close going into the upper weights and then Jacob Simone finishing up that we’d be in good shape.”
“The HSE wrestling family is proud to take home the Mudsock trophy in honor of Dub Clark and his family,” said Poyer. “We are truly thankful for all they have given to the Fishers community.”
Both teams are back in action on Saturday. The Royals will compete in the North Central Invitational, while Fishers heads to the Avon Super Six meet.
ABOVE: The Hamilton Southeastern wrestling team ran away with the Mudsock trophy on Thursday, winning the final five matches to win its dual meet with Fishers 50-18. (Photo provided)
BELOW: Hamilton Southeastern’s Taylor Shuey (left) and Fishers’ AJ Rivera (right) face off in the 285-pound match. (Richie Hall)
