Pin for the win
JEFFERSON TWP — Jonathan Grieco came up big in his first varsity dual for Mars' wrestling team.
Listed as a 126-pounder, the freshman took the mat at 132 with the Planets trailing host Knoch Wednesday night.
After giving up an early takedown to the Knights' Chris Michaux, Grieco scored a reversal and several near-fall points before scoring a pin one minute and 27 seconds into the bout.
It was the only pin for either team and helped the Planets rebound from a 23-3 deficit to earn a 33-32 victory.
“He went 2-2 last weekend at a tournament at Gateway,” said Mars coach Bob Jox. “I told him tonight that I wouldn't have made the move (to wrestle up a weight class) if I didn't have confidence in him.”
Michaux's takedown came just 16 seconds into the bout.
“I shouldn't have given that up,” said Grieco. “I had it in my mind I was the better wrestler. I just want to improve, win as much as I can this year and help the team.”
Two forfeits at 220 and 285 helped put Mars in the deep hole. The Planets then benefitted from three forfeits at 120, 126 and 145. Mars led 30-26 entering the 152-pound bout and Davis Luedtke clinched the win with a 6-2 decision over Earnie Zilka.
“We had six freshmen and two sophomores wrestle for us tonight,” Jox said. “They will have to lead the way this year.”
The night started with a matchup of two 24-bout winners from a year ago in Mars' Sean McElhinny and Knoch's Guy DeLeonardis, both seniors.
DeLeonardis earned a takedown in the first period and McElhinny an escape in the second. The former then dominated the third period with a pair of takedowns and four near-fall points, winning 9-2.
“Sean, he's like a bulldog, very strong,” said DeLeonardis, who won his weight class last week at the Hickory Tournament. “I just tried to wear him down. I had him on his back there in the third, almost got a pin, but I couldn't get it and didn't get a major (decision), either. I could've wrestled better.”
DeLeonardis is eyeing a third consecutive trip to the WPIAL tournament.
“The goal is for him to get to states,” said Knoch coach Grayson Hixon. “He's working his butt off and he's got a real shot at it.”
Like the Planets, the Knights are breaking in some young wrestlers, sophomore Nick Golab among them.
Golab trailed Rocco Darocy 8-1 entering the final period, but managed an escape and takedown in the first 17 seconds. Darocy's late reversal helped secure a 10-7 decision for him, but Hixon sees promise in Golab.
“He was on the junior high team last year,” Hixon said. “The first year of varsity is a big change, but Nick had a nice comeback tonight. That was inspiring.”
Mars 33, Knoch 32
(Match started at 170 pounds)
106-Matt Frank (K) major dec. Griffin Frazier, 12-2; 113-Rocco Darocy (M) dec. Nick Golab, 10-7; 120-Brandon Krul (M) won by forfeit; 126-Ethan Primrose (M) won by forfeit; 132-Jonathan Grieco (M) pinned Chris Michaux, 1:27; 138-Ty Misitis (K) dec. Eli Wright, 6-3; 145-Christian Scheller (M) won by forfeit; 152-Davis Luedtke (M) dec. Earnie Zilka, 6-2; 160-Adam Stobert (K) won by forfeit; 170-Guy DeLeonardis (K) dec. Sean McElhinny, 9-2; 182-Charlie Luedtke (M) dec. Kyle Lauster, 4-3; 195-Sam Freyermuth (K) major dec. Logan Santa, 9-0; 220-Rob Kotchey (K) won by forfeit; Hwt.-Eli Reese (K) won by forfeit
