Warriors host Hornets, Trojans in triangular meet

Carrollton, Malvern coaches pleased with performances

By Leigh Ann Rutledge

CCM Reporter

The Carrollton Warriors wrestling team hosted a tri-way competition Dec. 23 against Malvern and Newcomerstown.

The Warriors went 2-0 and Malvern defeated Newcomerstown. Carrollton defeated Malvern 67-12 and Newcomerstown 69-12.

Nick Jones (220 lbs.) was the first Warrior in the “Under 20 Club” for the 2020-2021 season. He pinned Logan Weaver in 19 seconds. Winning for the Warriors against Newcomerstown were Kolten Barker (106 lbs.) by pin in 55 seconds; Adam Bennett (138 lbs.) pinning his opponent in 2:18; Domanick Speelman (152 lbs.) by pin in 48 seconds; and Spencer Grindstaff (170 lbs.) pinning his opponent in 4:56. Colby Fritz (285 lbs.) defeated his opponent 10-7. Those winning by forfeit included Josh Carman (113 lbs.), Levi Pidgeon (120 lbs.), Kail Snair (126 lbs.), Ryan Kiko, (132 lbs.), Troy Lane (182 lbs.) and Ben Zinda (195 lbs.).

Malvern defeated Newcomerstown 48-27.  PJ Anderson (152 lbs.) pinned his opponent in 2:31; Xavier Watson (170 lbs.) by pin in 3:23; and Sam Foster (220 lbs.) in 1:03. Those winning by forfeit included Jordan Burrows (120 lbs.), Johnny Walker (126 lbs.), Matt Pucci (132 lbs.), Collin Greene (182 lbs.) and Trevor Slider (195 lbs.).

“I thought we came out and wrestled really well against Newcomerstown,” Malvern Head Coach Robbie Wilson said. “It’s always good to get a win against a league opponent.”

However, Carrollton vs. Malvern was different.

Warrior Barker won by tech fall 15-0 over Malvern’s TJ Proctor. After a hard fought battle, Josh Carman pinned Johnny Walker in 5:40 and Kilo pinned Pucci in 1:05. Gavin Rininger (138 lbs.) defeated Manny Walker by pin in 1:29 and Speelman went head-to-head with Myles Barnett, winning by pin in 2:23. Brandon Carman (160 lbs.) pinned Gage Radtka in 23 seconds. Grindstaff and Watson battled with Grindstaff scoring a pin in 4:53. Lane pinned Greene in 1:57 and Jones won 7-0 over Foster. Fritz added to his wins, pinning Zach Babczuk in 3:11.

Malvern’s Anderson pinned Trey Hillard in 5:11 and Slider pinned Zinda in 1:12.

Warrior Landon Jenkins (106 lbs.) won by forfeit. 

“We didn’t do as well as we would have liked against Carrollton, but for us to get to the level we want to get to, we are going to have to wrestle teams like that,” Wilson noted. “PJ Anderson has been really good for us this season. This is only his second season wrestling and he has already matched his win total from last year in the first month of the season. We are really excited to see how he grows throughout the rest of the year.”

“I thought we looked really good and we owned the mat. We talked about being physical and tough this week and they responded very well. We have a tough St. Clairsville tournament next week and I hope to continue this mind set going into it,” commented Carrollton Head Coach Joe McGee.