Wrestling: Southeastern splits dual meet: girls beat Avon, but boys fall

The REPORTER

The Hamilton Southeastern boys wrestling team dropped a back-and-forth dual meet with No. 20-ranked Avon Wednesday by the score of 39-36.

The Orioles won the first four matches to lead 21-0; junior Aidan Smalley went first and dropped a close decision at 120 before Avon won the next three by fall. The Royals fought back by winning the next five bouts, starting with a first-period fall for Chris Casler at 144.

Adam Gerstner took the 150-pound match, then Southeastern racked up three consecutive pins. Zach Lang (157), Antonio Ford (165) and Landon Hicks (175) all delivered falls to give HSE a 27-21 lead. The Orioles won by fall at 190 to tie the meet at 27-27, but Evan Lawhead’s decision at 215 pushed the Royals back ahead 30-27.

Avon took over after that, getting falls at 285 and 106 to clinch the meet. Dinh Nguyen gave the Royals the final word with a pin at 113.

Southeastern will travel to Westfield Saturday for the Shamrock Duals.

***

Southeastern’s girls wrestling team beat Avon 18-3 on Wednesday.

Lindsey Lannen dropped a hard-fought decision match, before Maria Mira, Omana Jacob and Kelli Crawford all pinned their opponents.

The Royals return to action Dec. 9 at the Lebanon Invitational.