The Carmel wrestling team is ranked No. 9 in the state, and the Greyhounds hosted another top 10 team on Wednesday.
Fourth-ranked Center Grove came to the Eric Clark Activity Center for what would normally be a big clash between two state powerhouses. But Carmel started the meet down 30 points, as the Greyhounds had to forfeit five weight classes. The Trojans won six of the nine contested matches on their way to a 57-9 victory.
Carmel’s three victories were all by decision. Isaac Ward, ranked No. 11 in IndianaMat.com’s 126-pound rankings, won his match 11-5. Luke Farling, ranked No. 18 at 138 pounds, was victorious 9-6. Eitan Shay picked up an 8-4 win at 152 pounds.
“Ward is a returning state qualifier,” said Carmel coach Ed Pendoski. “He’s had a couple of touch matches here in a row, and what’s really good for our team, we had three seniors in the lineup tonight. We’ve got some youth in the lineup.”
The Trojans, meanwhile, got two wins by fall and a technical fall. Center Grove won at 170 pounds by major decision, getting their other two victories by regular decision.
“We got exposed in some places that we need to get better,” said Carmel coach Ed Pendoski. The coach said the team is “working on finding an identity, staying together as a group,” and making sure the wrestlers fix what needs to be fixed.
“When we get exposed, are we going to go fix them,” said Pendoski.
The Greyhounds will travel to McCutcheon Saturday to compete in the Kyle Osborn Memorial Tournament, then compete in the Mooresville Holiday Classic on Dec. 28-29.
CENTER GROVE 57, CARMEL 9
106 pounds: Carmel forfeited
113 pounds: Carmel forfeited
120 pounds: Carmel forfeited
126 pounds: Isaac Ward def. Thorpe by decision, 11-5
132 pounds: Michael Major lost to Kreja by decision, 6-3
138 pounds: Luke Farling def. Stils by decision, 9-6
145 pounds: Nayl Shay lost to Watson by technical fall, 16-1
152 pounds: Eitan Shay def. Shoemaker by decision, 8-4
160 pounds: Trevor Gallagher lost to Weems by fall, 1:49
170 pounds: Matthew Green lost to Clauser by major decision, 9-0
182 pounds: Joseph DelBusto lost to Buchanan by fall, 3:00
195 pounds: Sam Johnson lost to Crump by decision, 5-4
220 pounds: Carmel forfeited
285 pounds: Carmel forfeited
HAMILTON COUNTY STATE-RANKED WRESTLERS
From IndianaMat.com’s rankings
113 pounds
No. 19 – Mat Benson, Hamilton Southeastern
120 pounds
No. 6 – Braxton Vest, Westfield
126 pounds
No. 11 – Isaac Ward, Carmel
132 pounds
No. 10 – Michael Major, Carmel
138 pounds
No. 18 – Luke Farling, Carmel
145 pounds
No. 13 – Alec McLaren, Westfield
152 pounds
No. 5 – TJ Barrett, Carmel
170 pounds
No. 6 – Ryan Cast, Hamilton Southeastern
182 pounds
No. 17 – Austin McClure, Westfield
195 pounds
No. 12 – Max Broom, Hamilton Southeastern
No. 17 – Sam Johnson, Carmel
No. 18 – Austin Hastings, Noblesville
285 pounds
No. 4 – Dom Burgett, Hamilton Southeastern
No. 5 – Mike Platonov, Westfield