ELI PEREGOY won his bout in a 16-0 technical fall. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
ABIGAIL ERFURTH swiftly pinned Gwen Hillermann (Wash.) in 0:55. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
TRENCHES. The Eagles intently watched Jaxson Blankenship as he fought to take back the lead. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
THE ART OF WAR. Head coach Carl Lawrence (right) advises Austin Ray (left) before returning to battle after the medical timeout. Photo by Wyatt Hardy
Wrestling Duels Blue Jays In Home Opener
Sullivan High School’s wrestling program held its home opener against Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The varsity boys came up short 33-30 to the Blue Jays, while the girls fell 54-30.
Varsity Boys
Ian Henderson (113) started Sullivan ahead with six points. The freshman pinned Chase Houston (Wash.) in 1:59.
The Blue Jays rallied to tie after beating Camden Henderson (120) in an 8-3 decision and Carter Blankenship (126) 9-6.
The Eagles soared back to snatch a 16-6 lead. Conner Roach (132) crushed Landyn Rable (Wash.) in a 19-1 technical fall. Eli Peregoy (138) followed with another mercy-rule finish, blanking Cooper Bellmann (Wash.) 16-0.
Washington returned back on top. Oliver Borton (144) lost his bout by an 18-3 technical fall, and Sullivan forfeited their 150-pound round.
The Eagles and Blue Jays continued to exchange blows for the lead. Austin Ray (157) pushed Sullivan ahead by two points. The junior crushed Stuart Miller (Wash.) in an 11-4 decision.
After Nathan Garcia (165) fell, Washington regained the upper hand. Ethan Turner (175) placed the Eagles back on the board with a 3:25 pin over Curtis Boreker (Wash.).
The Blue Jays retook the edge at 27-25. Brennan Birrer (190) showed grit in his fight but lost a 10-2 major decision to Nolan Hendrix (Wash.).
Jaxson Blankenship (215) lifted the Eagles back on top. The freshman notched five points for Sullivan, silencing Wyatt Morgan (Wash.) in a 16-0 technical fall.
The Blue Jays won the final round by forfeit, allowing them to seize a 33-30 victory.
Varsity Girls
The Lady Eagles flipped five rounds for victories.
Abigail Erfurth (235) swiftly pinned Gwen Hillermann (Wash.) in 0:55, Dorie Richardson (140) wrapped up Brianna James (Wash.) in 3:44 and Chloe Carson (155) brought down Ariyanna McGee (Wash.) in 0:45.
Ruby Daily (170) and Katie Summers (190) won their rounds by forfeit.
Autumn (130) and Starr (145) Hardesty fought their challengers tooth and nail but came up short on the mat.
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