Trojans docked for ‘excessive celebrating’
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Last week’s Rock Valley Conference dual meet finale came down to the slimmest of margins for the East Troy High School wrestling squad.
And unfortunately for the Trojans, they were just on the other side of a victory.
East Troy and visiting Whitewater each won seven matches – but the Whippets received an all-important team point when the Trojans were called for disorderly conduct – and that was the difference in a 35-34 loss.
The disorderly conduct call was for “excessive celebration.”
The action on the mat was as hard-fought as the final score would indicate, East Troy coach Mike Howard said.
East Troy posted four pins, a technical fall and two decisions, while Whitewater had four pins, two major decisions and one decision.
“We had a few matches that we needed to score more points in,” he said. “(Either) from a regular decision to a major decision, from a major to a tech fall or get a pin. And we gave up too many pins.”
Highlighting the action were Tommy Larson (106) and Chase Coleman (152).
Larson, currently ranked ninth by Crossface Magazine in Division 2, picked up a 19-4 technical fall win over Tyler Gamble to improve to 26-3 overall.
He’s just a freshman, but continues to more than show that he belongs, Howard said.
“Tommy is a machine on his feet,” he said. “He took advantage there and also had several nice turns for back points.”
Coleman, ranked 11th, improved to 25-7 when he pinned Robby Liberto in 2:44.
“Chase overwhelms people with his aggressive style and overpowers and outworks them,” Howard said.
Also picking up victories were John Veselka (138), by pin in 2:31 over Angel Rivera; Chris Storandt (195), by pin in 1:45 over Carlos Martinez; John Skinner (285), by pin in 2:59 over Luis Ramirez; Calvin Collins (113), 6-4 over Jamison Quass; and Joe Moede (120), 10-3 over Jose Villegas.
Skinner, who posted his first varsity win, and Veselka each earned their coach’s praises.
“That was great to see, for a young kid in an upper weight class (like Skinner to get a win),” Howard said. “He certainly deserves it. Johnny Veselka continues to work hard and improve.”
Dropping matches to the Whippets were Jackson Dedick (145), by pin in 28 seconds to Higmet Dauti; Victor Chapman (160), by major decision 17-8 to Aldo Soto; Kelcye DeMara (170), 6-2 to Thomas McManaway; Austin Pogreba (182), by pin in 1:35 to Jimmy DuVal; Jacob Mast (220), by pin in 2:39 to Ernesto Magana; Kaleb Curler (126), by major decision 21-8 to Juan Cuellar; and Mason Orgas, by pin in 48 seconds to Jaden Salmieri.
East Troy travels to Evansville Saturday to compete in the RVC Meet, beginning at 10 a.m. Howard said the teams to watch are Evansville and Beloit Turner.
As for his team, Howard hopes the Trojans can build off what they’ve already achieved this season.
“We need to keep improving, win the matches we should win and upset a few along the way,” he said.
