Despite only getting seven actual matches, the Pirates' experience showed as they took five out of seven matches by pinfall.
OHS' Zach Shank (119) got things rolling for the Pirates. Shank dominated most of the first period, but it wasn't until the 2:54 mark in the second period that he was awarded the pinfall, giving the Pirates the early 6-0 lead.
 Olathe High School's 112-pounder Nate Brown, top, works to pin Coal Ridge's Colin Carbone during a league dual Saturday. Brown got the pinfall at the 3:02 mark in the second period. (Joel Blocker / Daily Press) Advertisement |
Coal Ridge got themselves back on track after the Titans' Neal Schultz defeated OHS' Brenton Martinez 6-4. That would be, however, as close as they could get and trailed the Pirates 12-3.
The next 11 matches — seven of which came by forfeits, three by pinfall and one decision — all favored the Pirates.
Winning by pinfall were: Kris Nieto (145), who pinned his opponent one minute into the first period, Josh Kelso (189), who pinned his opponent 59 seconds into the match, and Nate Brown (112), who pinned his opponent at the 3:02 mark in the second period. OHS' Ben Pridy (103) defeated his opponent 10-7.
Receiving forfeits were: Dylan Markley (135), Dustin Kelso (140), Kyle Piatt (152), Zach Stansberry (160), Camren Harris (171), Colby Corey (215) and Casey Childs (285).
"We'd seen them earlier in the year at the Mesa Dual Tournament and at that time they were short handed," said Olathe High Head coach Harvey Starbuck. "I knew coming into today they'd be giving us quite a few forfeits."
After their dual with Coal Ridge, the Pirates squared off with Grand Valley.
The first three matches were all Olathe. Two came from pinfalls, while Martinez received a forfeit.
The two victories were from Wyatt Yarnell (125), who pinned his guy 36 seconds into the first period and Markley, who also pinned his guy 1:45 into the first period.
With the Pirates leading 18-6, it was Class 3A No. 2-ranked Nieto and Class 3A No. 1-ranked Ryan Gallegos who ignited the gymnasium.
Nieto held a slight 3-2 lead going into the third period, but as the period wore on it was evident that he was becoming tied. Gallegos took advantage and scored a couple of takedowns to reserve his perfect record, winning 7-3.
"Kris gave it everything he had," Starbuck said. "He was in the match all the way until the end but it didn't come out his way. I'm looking forward to the next time we meet with him."
Following Nieto's match, Class 3A No.1-ranked Piatt found himself in a dog fight against Class 3A No. 3-ranked Tyler Miles. With only a 2-1 lead going into the third, Piatt had to pull out all the stops to defeat Miles. As the seconds winded down in the third period, Piatt got a last-second takedown and defeated Miles 5-1, giving the Pirates a 21-9 lead.
"By beating him, this should help my seeding going toward regionals," said Piatt.
Stansberry's overtime loss to Class 3A No.4 ranked-David Witt was "one heck of a match," Starbuck said.
The last six matches for the Pirates resulted in victories. Olathe finished the day with two pinfalls, one major decision and three forfeits.
Receiving the pinfalls were Harris and Kelso, while Pridy finished with a 13-2 major decision. Brown, Shank, and Childs received the final forfeits.
With their dual competitions done for the year, the Pirates can focus their attention to the regional tournament next weekend in Gunnison.
"What we'll do from here until regionals is work on individual things," Starbuck said. "Were going to put together a to-do list for each kid and things that we think they need to work on."
With the victories the Pirates improved their record 19-1 overall and 5-0 in the Western Slope League.
Regionals take place in Gunnison next Friday.
Pirate in the Know wrote on Feb 12, 2010 1:07 PM:
Wrestling Fan wrote on Feb 8, 2010 10:21 AM: