Published: November 25, 2009 03:49 pm      

Eagle wrestlers place second at invite

BROWNSBURG — — The Zionsville wrestling team traveled to Brownsburg Saturday, Nov. 21, for an eight-team invitational, but not all of the Eagles were able to take the mat.

The Eagles had two wrestlers out with the flu and another — 135-pounder Jacob Stachler — slowed by a foot injury. Despite those setbacks, Zionsville advanced to the final round to take on undefeated Brownsburg, but fell in a close match, 36-35. Plainfield defeated Crawfordsville in the third-place match.

Eagles coach Bob Brennan was pleased with the effort of his team, which won four matches in the invitational before dropping the final round to Brownsburg.

“Overall, I thought we wrestled pretty well,” Brennan said. “I was happy we went 4-1, and obviously we thought we had a chance in the last match.”

Michael Conner took on Brownsburg’s Jon Stinnett at 189 pounds to open the championship match. Conner and Stinnett battled through three periods, but Stinnett pulled out a 4-2 decision in overtime. Zionsville’s Jason Pedigo took the mat next at 215 pounds, and easily defeated Brownsburg’s Spencer Blatz by an 8-1 decision.

The smaller weight classes competed next, and the Bulldogs picked up wins at 103 and 112 pounds. At 103 pounds, the Eagles’ Joey Brasco held a lead over Austin Arnold in a close match, but Brasco got caught by a pin late in the second period. Freshman Austin Graef lost a tough match to Brownsburg’s Dustin O’Bannon at 112 pounds, dropping a 4-0 decision.

Zionsville won the 130-pound match, when Stachler pinned Harpal Brar late in the third period. Other winners for the Eagles were Spencer Simpson (140), Dylon Frauhiger (152), Max Wongs (160) and Jacob Howenstein (171).

“Jacob Howenstein and Jason Pedigo, two of our seniors, both wrestled exceptionally,” Brennan said. “Max Youngs also had a good day going 4-1, and Dylon Frauhiger did a nice job for us.”

Zionsville forfeited the 119, 125 and 285-pound weight classes.

“It hurt that we ended up giving everybody 12 points,” Brennan said.

The upcoming Thanksgiving break gives the Eagles a chance to get healthy. Zionsville doesn’t return to competition until Tuesday, Dec. 1, when it hosts Frankfort.

“Today was a good warm-up for us, but it also gave us a chance to see where we’re at,” Brennan said. “I’ll be glad when we’re back to full strength so we can wrestle as a full team.”