Carmel wrestlers down Trojans

CARMEL

Dual wrestling matches such as the one Center Grove took part in Wednesday night do serve a purpose.

Quality competition, after all, is never a bad thing.

Carmel, the state’s No. 14 squad in the latest coaches poll, delivered a convincing 53-12 victory against the Trojans, who nonetheless kept four of its athletes undefeated.

Alex Petro (113 pounds), Peyton Pruett (145), Gleason Mappes (160) and Jonah Hays (170) ran their records to 11-0 with Saturday’s Johnson County tournament at Indian Creek next on the schedule.

The Greyhounds dominated the majority of the other matches, exceptions being losses by the Trojans’ Shane Stits’ (16-9 loss in the 195 division) and freshman Sam Hesser dropping a 3-2 decision at 152.

Five Carmel wins were won by pin.

“Our four most experienced guys all won,” Center Grove coach Cale Hoover said. “We knew it was probably going to be a tough night. I didn’t see some of the things that I would have liked to have seen from some of our more inexperienced guys, and even some of our other older guys.

“We’re on a little bit of a tough stretch with a Wednesday, a Saturday, a Wednesday and now county coming up. We’re looking forward to next week when we can start teaching some more to keep getting ourselves better.”

Instead of starting with the lightest weight division, 106 pounds, and moving up, Wednesday’s event began with the 170-pounders in an attempt to save what was perceived as the best match for last.

This provided Mappes, a three-time state finalist who advanced to the semifinals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse each of the last two seasons, more waiting time than the senior is accustomed.

Ranked second in his weight class, Mappes and eighth-ranked Jack Eiteljorge battled to a scoreless first period. Mappes would go on to win, 3-1, scoring his points in the second period.

“I didn’t like wrestling last,” Mappes said. “I was getting a little frustrated with my teammates because I wanted to see us compete better than the way we did.”

Mappes said it was the third time he wrestled Eiteljorge.

“I wouldn’t say it’s harder or easier,” he said of familiar opponents. “I like to wrestle new people and get different looks,” Mappes said. “I want the best competition, but in my opinion the opponent has no face.”