By Adam Knoll
Sports Correspondent
In a packed gymnasium at East Troy last week, the Whitewater High School wrestling team kept it exciting in a dual match that could have gone either way.
Daniel Soto started things off by earning a pin takedown, while Tyler Gamble endured a tough overtime loss at 106 pounds.
Jameson Hutchins retook the lead for Whitewater with a pin at 113, as the two squads traded pins for the next few rounds, going back and forth on the scoreboard and giving the crowd a show.
After six matches, the Whippets led by three, 18-15
The next few matches for Whitewater were tough as they began facing the cream of what East Troy brings to the table. By the time the two teams got to the 160-pound match, the Whippets had fallen behind by 11.
James Ehlen got Whitewater back on track with a pin while Max Reid dropped a major decision. With three matches left, East troy held a 33-24 lead.
Nathan Barrett earned six points to bring the match within three.
With the fans of both sides on the edges of their seats, and Whitewater hoping for an upset victory, Adrian Casillas went into his match at 195 feeling confident. Unfortunately, he was put on his back, giving East Troy the victory.
Finishing up the day, Tommy Duval got a pin in 1:10 to bring the final score to 39-36 with East Troy on top.
“This was a great showing by the whippet wrestlers as the team was issued some diversity but came together as a wrestling family and wrestled very well,” head coach John Schimming said in a recap about the meet.
“I feel this is the best I have seen a Whippet team wrestle in a long time. The atmosphere was wonderful and the wrestlers were a part of something that the fans were talking about after the dual meet. I overheard East Troy alumni come down and tell their coaches that was the best dual meet they have seen in a long time,” Schimming added.
JV strong in Beloit
Four JV Whitewater wrestlers won medals at the Beloit Turners Junior Tournament last week.
On Saturday, the JV Whippets took a road trip and brought back three gold medals and one silver.
Bringing home the first gold was Hiqmet Dauti who finished the day with two pins. He has won two tournaments in two weekends and is 7-0 on the JV squad – all seven wins were pins.
Also earning gold was Jimmy Duval who had a pin and a couple of decisions on the day.
The final gold medalist was Adrian Casillas, who was 4-0 on the day with three pins and a 6-0 decision in his final match.
Bryce Peche brought home a silver medal for the second weekend in a row. He dropped his first match 2-1 but battled back and went 3-0 the rest of the day.
