BUTLER TWP — Build a wave of momentum and ride it.

Butler's wrestling team did so Wednesday night, using seven pins — including falls in the final four matches — to roll past Knoch, 69-6, in the Intermediate gym.

“You like to ride out momentum, keep it rolling throughout the rest of the lineup,” Golden Tornado coach Scott Stoner said. “I feel like we did that tonight.”

Scoring pins for Butler (10-2, 3-0) were Korey Caudill at 120 pounds, Jesse Spohn at 138, Dakoda Collins at 152, Will Bortmas at 160, Ryan Hannon at 170, Zach Weaver at 182 and Nick Gibson at 195.

Nick Sutton won by technical fall at 126 pounds, improving his record to 17-1. Only Blake Caudill (12-0 at 113) has a better won-loss mark for Butler.

“Nick's really put it together this year,” Stoner said. “He's learned how to use his body on the mat and he's mastering other phases of the sport as he goes along.”

Caudill (16-2), 132-pounder Zach Reges (15-2), Collins (14-2) and Hannon (10-2) are other Tornado wrestlers with stellar records thus far.

Stoner lauded the performance of freshman 106-pounder Connor Foust (11-5), who decisioned Knoch sophomore Dillion Holben 9-1 Wednesday.

“It can be tough starting a freshman at the varsity level, even at the lightest weight class,” Stoner said. “You don't want to see that deer in headlights look. You want every kid to take the attitude of going out there and doing his best on the mat, regardless of who he's up against.

“Connor is succeeding at his transitions out there. He's executing the basics. That kid (Holben) beat him in junior high two years ago and tonight, Connor took it to him.”

Knoch (1-3) picked up its lone victory at heavyweight, as senior Ian Adkins pinned Austin George in 3:42.

Adkins placed fourth at the Southmoreland Tourmament over the weekend while 132-pound junior Blaine Elliott placed fifth. Knoch is in its sixth year as a varsity wrestling program.

“Every time we come over here, all I want our kids to do is battle and wrestle hard,” Knoch coach Mark McLaughlin said. “The score doesn't show it, but I tghink we did that tonight.

“A sixth-year program is going to go through nights like this. I understand that and so do the kids.”

The Knights will compete in the Valley Duals this weekend.

“We've got a couple of seniors, but we're mostly freshmen and sophomores,” McLaughlin said. “I have no problem with where we're at and I like where we're headed.”

Butler will compete in the eight-team Fort LeBoeuf tournament over the weekend.

Blake Caudill is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. A few other Tornado wrestlers are battling nagging ailments.

“You get banged up in this sport,” Stoner said. “After a tough loss to Connellsville (Tuesday), it was important for us to come out aggressively and have a good performance tonight. That was nice to see.”

Butler 69, Knoch 6(match started at 195)106

pounds: Connor Foust (B) dec. Dillion Holben 9-1;

113: Zach Hutchison (B) by forfeit;

120: Korey Caudill (B) pinned Joel Hixon, 1:29;

126: Nick Sutton (B) tech. fall over Ryan Grossman 18-2, 4:00;

132: Zach Reges (B) dec. Blaine Elliott 5-0;

138: Jesse Spohn (B) pinned Col McLaughlin, 5:48;

145: Xavier Bennett (B) dec. Matt Steinmiller 11-8;

152: Dakoda Collins (B) pinned Tyler Hlebiczki, 1:55;

160: Will Bortmas (B) pinned Ben Nowicki, 3:29;

170: Ryan Hannon (B) pinned Bailey Savage, 3:27;

182: Zach Weaver (B) pinned Brian Mowry, 1:16;

195: Nick Gibson (B) pinned Mark Morrison,1:00;

220: Ben McKnight (B) by forfeit;

285: Ian Adkins (K) pinned Austin George, 3:42.