CLINTON — The Weatherford Eagles wrestling team went to Clinton and defeated their rival in a big dual match which had postseason implications.
Weatherford won the match 42-30 and were winners of this dual two seasons in a row and coach Corey Duncan said this is a program-building win.
“It is awesome to beat your rival on their home floor,” Duncan said. “It was a tough and hard fought battle. Clinton always is a tough team and for us to beat them two years in a row is a special win and is a program building win.”
Clinton took an early 5-2 lead. Weatherford came back and the match was tied, 9-9, early. Clinton got on a roll and was ahead 15-9 going into Brock Conkling’s match at 138 pounds. Conkling remained tough, but was taken down and Clinton was ahead 21-9.
Alvis Bryson got some points back for Weatherford with a pin, making the score 21-15.
“This was a big match win,” Duncan said. “We lost two matches early by a pin and we felt we could have done better. Alvis did a fantastic job grinding it out and finding a way to get the win.”
Ethan Brecken got Weatherford 3 points, making the score 21-18. Clinton won the next match and was in front 27-18. Barrett King trailed going into the third period. Clinton won the match and Weatherford now trailed 30-18.
Tyler Jack Hoffman got Weatherford 6 points from a forfeit, making the score 30- 24 going into the match at 195 pounds. Sam Hoffman won his match, earning 6 points, making the score tied, 30-30, going into Izeyha Freeborn’s match at 220 pounds.
“Sam is really good at finishing,” Duncan said. “That win was big and he just wrestled tough, put the wrestler on his back and got us another 6 points.”
Freeborn got 6 points for Weatherford as Clinton wrestler Jamason Dodge was injured. Dodge was OK and win put Weatherford ahead 36-30 coming down to Eli Soto’s match.
Eli Soto pinned his opponent and Weatherford won the match 42-30. With the win, Weatherford improves to 1-0 in district play and is 6-3 overall.
“When the match was done, my thought was Holy Cow,” Duncan said. “I was hoping we would weather the storm and just find a way to win the match. Eli took him down on his belly, punched a half and moved the right way resulting in a big pin. He did a great job in his match.”
Weatherford returns to action, 7 p.m. Tuesday against district foe Cache.
“We have to do ourselves a favor and get after it in every match for 6 minutes,” Duncan said. “I am just so proud of my guys. We trailed early, but did a great job battling back and we got the job done. We celebrated this big win, but it is right back to work to prepare for Cache.”