Butler battles way to 36-24 wrestling victory

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

January 19, 2006 Last Updated: January 19, 2006 02:14 PM High School

BUTLER TWP — The weight classes may be light, but they carried the heaviest points for Butler Wednesday night.

Golden Tornado 103-pounder Rob Runyan, 112-pounder Brian Necelli and 119-pounder Ian McLaughlin combined to score 17 team points, wiping out an 18-9 deficit and leading Butler to a 36-24 wrestling victory over Canfield (Ohio).

The win marked Butler's first in three tries against the Cardinals (7-3).

"They always have a solid program and we love wrestling them," Butler coach Scott Stoner said. "You see a lot of good match-ups on the mat."

Canfield coach Dean Conley agreed.

"Every time we've faced Butler, the outcome seems to be decided by a few points," Conley said. "That's why we drive an hour and a half to get here on a school night.

"Our league matches are 15 to 20 minutes away from home. But this trip is worth it."

Runyan (14-4) scored Butler's lone pin of the night in 3:55 of the 103-pound match. It marked his team-leading eighth pin of the season.

Nicelli (15-4) won by technical fall at 112 and McLaughlin (13-3) had a 14-1 lead late in the second period at 119 before winning by injury default.

"A lot of kids go on the mat trying to figure out a way to beat you," Runyan said. "I'm looking for the move that's going to get me a pin.

"The team score does affect how I wrestle. If we're down, I want to be the guy the coach can count on to get us back in it."

Stoner said he likes Runyan's pin total, but would like to see more consistency.

"He's a second-year 103-pounder and we want him to dominate," the coach said. "The ultimate goal in wrestling is to pin your opponent. As a team, I want to see more pins.

"Technical falls are nice, but they're worth five points. Pins are worth six. I want that extra point."

The Tornado (10-3) needed every point they could get their hands on Wednesday night. Butler won three of the evening's first four matches by close decisions.

Josh Coburn was given a tie-breaking escape by Justin Wolf to begin the third period at 152 pounds — the night's first match — and made it stand up for a 4-3 decision.

At 160, Aaron Pascazi took down Brennan Spaulding with seven seconds left to secure a 5-2 decision. At 189, Dave Coburn took down Nick Rowland with 13 seconds left to clinch a 6-3 decision.

"Those were all matches we could have gotten," Conley said. "If two of the three had gone our way, the overall outcome might have been different."

Butler had a 30-24 lead on the scoreboard with two matches left. Jon Sanko clinched the team win by notching a 2-0 victory in overtime at 140 pounds.

It marked the 10th straight win for Sanko (13-7).

"Jon won two matches in overtime at the Southmoreland Tournament," Stoner said. "He has a knack for keeping matches close and pulling them out."

The Tornado defeated Canfield despite giving up three pins and receiving no forfeits.

"It was close, but they out-wrestled us tonight," Conley said. "Butler deserved to win."

The Tornado host Pine-Richland next Wednesday in a section match.

Butler 36, Canfield (Ohio) 24

103 —

Rob Runyan (B) pinned Braylin Bellino, 3:55

112 —

Brian Necelli (B) tech. fall over Craig Anzevin, 5:18 (20-5)