Leafs dominate Bulldogs

The Streator Bulldogs were no match for the Geneseo High?School wrestling team Jan. 26 as the Leafs went into Streator and overpowered the Bulldogs, 63-15.

“It was no surprise, we have a much stronger program,” said head coach Jon Murray of his team’s dominating victory. “But, Streator does have some decent individuals.”

Geneseo opened the match with Jacob Miller (112-pounds) pinning his opponent in a quick 26 seconds.

Josh Dodge (119-lbs.) suffered a 6-2 loss, while Jacob Stimes (125-lbs.) was pinned in his match in 1:57.

Jacob Koster (130-lbs.) got the Leafs back on the winning track as he pinned his opponent in 2:33, while Sean Lillis (135-lbs.) shut out his opponent in a 10-0 major decision victory.

“I was able to see some stuff happen in a match that we have been working on in practice,” said Murray. “Their confidence was up and they came through.”

Jon Solberg (140-lbs.) pinned his opponent in 3:47, while teammate Shane Bormann (145-lbs.) pinned Gabe Rodriguez in 3:09.

Jacob Arnold (152-lbs.) captured a win for the Leafs with a technical fall victory, 16-0, followed by Collin Akers (160-lbs.) with a pin of Tre Wade in 3:14.

“We had some close matches, but we stayed tough and ended up getting the pin later in the match,” said Murray. “The score might have been closer, but we persevered through the matches pretty well and came up with the fall.”

Jacob Janssen (171-lbs.) pinned his opponent in 3:31, while Ben Rudy?(189-lbs.) also pinned his opponent in 3:51.

West Cathcart (215-lbs.) and Mark Cothron (275-lbs.) both received forfeits.

In the final match of the night, Streator’s 103-lb. wrestler pinned Geneseo’s Tristan Thies in 1:21.

The Leafs will be in action this weekend as they take on the rest of the NCIC for a shot at the conference title.

“I feel like we will be ready to go (for the NCIC?tournament),” said Murray. “It is going to be tough. Sterling is really solid and the favorite to win.

“My focus is getting as many individual conference champions as possible and for the younger guys, getting them as many wins as possible. I am not thinking about the team race. I am thinking about what is best for them.”