It is a hard battle to have so early in the 2010-2011 season, but the No. 7 Glenelg Gladiators shook off the preseason rust and handled the No. 11 Reservoir Gators, 42-19.
The Gladiators won all but five of the night’s bouts, and went on to record four falls, three major decisions and two regular decisions in the battle of two ranked teams.
“I am really glad that we looked fresh most of the time and were working for those bonus points,” Glenelg coach Chris Rosas said. “Most of our guys wrestled six minutes, and that what we preach.
“It was a good win to start and. We have a long way to go, but I was pleased.”
Taking control of the match with relative ease by winning three straight with Ryan Carter (119), Austin Pagnotta (125) and Mick Gaffrey (130), the latter two coming by falls for a 16-0 start, Glenelg continued the streaking wins throughout the night with few interruptions.
Glenelg dropped just two matches after their 3-0 start before winning another three straight with Jack Borkowski (145), Anthony Pagnotta (152) and Tyler Asher (160) to extend its lead to 29-7.
And like clockwork, Reservoir’s Mark Colabuccii came in at 171 with a technical fall to breakup the winning streak, only to see the Gladiators win again with a fall from at 189 by David Pruett and a major decision from Ryan Fitzgibbons (215).
Seth Rowell grabbed the first Gator win of the night with a major decision at 135, capitalizing on a timely takedown to the end the first period and a five point reversal in the second to help him coast to a 12-2 win, and returning county finalist James Mullens (140) followed, trailing by two with 30 seconds left in the third and muscling a takedown for the decision.
Josh Hamilton and Mason Kilcarr also scored wins for the Gators, working an 8-4 decision at heavyweight, and Kilcarr earning a 14-4 major at 103.
“We showed people we belong on the mat, and I know people are worried with everyone that we graduated,” Gator coach Andy McIntyre said. “We have five guys with varsity experience, and when you have nine guys coming in new, you are going to have growing pains. Howard County is tough wrestling.”
Joe Zoller was the last Gladiator to score a win, working a decision 7-0 at 112.
This Friday, the Gladiators will take to the Mad mats tournament, while the Gators head to the Tuscarora Tournament.
“We are pretty front loaded with our schedules and teams like River Hill and La Plata,” Rosas said. “We have some tough matches coming up, and tonight was another tough match. They won the county last year, and we won the dual title, so it is becoming a nice rivalry.”
Glenelg 42, Reservoir 19
119- Ryan Carter (G) maj dec 8-0 Eric Lee (R) [0-4]
125- Austin Pagnotta (G) fall 2:33 Michael Ponton (R) [0-10]
130- Mick Gaffrey (G) fall 3:33 Bruno Garcia (R) [0-16]
135- Seth Rowell (R) maj dec 12-2 John Milani (G) [4-16]
140- James Mullens (R) dec 9-7 Parker Dymond (G) [7-16]
145- Jack Borkowski (G) maj dec 14-5 Donovan Peek (R) [7-20]
152- Anthony Pagnotta (G) dec 8-2 David Kuper (R) [7-23]
160- Tyler Asher (G) fall 3:14 Brendon Herberger (R) [7-29]
171- Mark Colabucci (R) tech fall 18-2 Glenn Lucas (G) [12-29]
189- David Pruett (G) fall 1:46 Nathan Sheilds (R) [12-35]
215- Ryan Fitzgibbons (G) maj dec 11-2 Matt Herlihy (R) [12-39]
285- Josh Hamilton (R) dec 8-4 Nick Hayt (G) [15-39]
103- Mason Kilcarr (R) maj dec 14-4 Austin Miller (G) [19-39]
112- Joe Zoller (G) dec 7-0 Hans Wicklein (R) [19-42]
