Healthier 'Stangs split 2 duals
Mullen downs Smoky Hill and drops one to Thunderridge as 3 key competitors return to the lineup; frosh O'Blia remains undefeated at 103.
On Saturday morning, Mullen got cold, but healthier.
Nothing is unusual in this new Season B during the time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – but it’s true. The Mustangs hosted Smoky Hill and ThunderRidge in a three-team meet that had to be moved from a pretty frigid Green Room to their Old Gym. As it was, nonparticipants watched the action wearing coats against the frigid air that has settled across the Front Range.
However, the best – and warmest -- news was that multiple Mustangs, sidelined for assorted injuries and COVID-19 problems, returned to the lineup, much to the patient delight of head coach John Howes.
Mullen downed Smoky Hill 57-18 and lost 51-30 to ThunderRidge as Noah Linares, Mark Troni and Blake Machock rejoined the team’s 14-competitor weight classes.
“We did good and it was good to see Mark back, see Noah back and Blake had his first match (of the season),” Howes said.
Linares and Troni, both ranked at their weights in Class 3A by On The Mat, each won twice. At 126 pounds, Linares won with back-to-back falls and looked sharp,
“No problem, I felt normal,” he said.
Troni won by forfeit at 145 and followed with a pin against ThunderRidge. Machock split two matches, earning a win by decision before getting pinned.
In addition, freshman Dale O’Blia stayed undefeated at 103 (12-0) with a forfeit victory and a pin. Gilbert Antillon (113) and Jacob Robbins (152) each won twice by forfeit (remember, we’re still in a pandemic), and Adam Domenico (138), Kaleb Valdez-Lemos (160) and Hayden Woodruff (Hwt.) each split their matches.
And as for Mullen girls – females statewide are scrambling and co-oping to conduct their duals -- Howes said Alina Antillon, a two-time Colorado champion, remains undefeated.
The Mustangs are idle until Thursday, Feb. 18, when they will head to Overland for a Centennial League dual meet, first bout at 6 p.m.
The grind that included Saturday’s bouts, as well as the testers the previous weekend in Rocky Ford, Howes said, is necessary as “we’re scheduling these matches because we’re trying to get these guys where they need to be.”
MULLEN 57, SMOKY HILL 18
106 pounds – Dale O’Blia, Mullen won by forfeit.
113 – Gilbert Antillon, Mullen won by forfeit.
120 – Cayden Robbins, Mullen won by forfeit.
126 – Noah Linares, Mullen pinned Zach Majernik, U/A.
132 – Blake Machock, Mullen dec. Jacob Castellano, 10-3.
138 – Adam Domenico, Mullen pinned Will Baxter, 0:35.
145 – Mark Troni, Mullen won by forfeit.
152 – Jacob Robbins, Mullen won by forfeit.
160 – Kaleb Valdez-Lemos, Mullen pinned Jason Kyle, 2:48.
170 – Dylan Harmon, Smoky Hill won by forfeit.
182 – Kyle Botkin, Smoky Hill won by forfeit.
195 – Emilio Sanchez, Smoky Hill won by forfeit.
220 – Double forfeit.
Hwt. – Hayden Woodruff, Mullen won by forfeit.
THUNDERRIDGE 51, MULLEN 30
106 pounds – Dale O’Blia, Mullen pinned Cael Boen, 1:46.
113 – Gilbert Antillon, Mullen won by forfeit.
120 – Nick Vicic, ThunderRidge, pinned Cayden Robbins, 1:01.
126 – Noah Linares, Mullen pinned Cody Owen, 2:26.
132 – Kyler Pilgrim, ThunderRidge pinned Blake Machock, 0:50.
138 – Damon Jacobson, ThunderRidge dec. Adam Domenico, 4-3.
145 – Mark Troni, Mullen pinned Aidan Jones, 1:19.
152 – Jacob Robbins, Mullen won by forfeit.
160 – Presley Pilgrim, ThunderRidge pinned Kaleb Valdez-Lemos, 5:58.
170 – Harrison Perlstein, ThunderRidge won by forfeit.
182 – Kaden Kadnik, ThunderRidge won by forfeit.
195 – Britt Lewis, ThunderRidge won by forfeit.
220 – Tyler Doyle, ThunderRidge won by forfeit.
Hwt. – Tyler Bowlye, ThunderRidge pinned Hayden Woodruff, 3:19.
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