ALLIANCE, OHIO - The Bethany Bison competed against the Mount Union Purple Raiders in a dual meet style competition. The Bison wrestled an energetic dual that came down to the final bout.
With this dual meet, the team qualified for the individual regional tournament next weekend.
Head Coach Pete DiPol made some moves to give his squad the best matchups to win. Nearly the entire lineup was shuffled around, with the first match starting at 124.
The Bison had to execute a plan to a tee to win. Due to forfeiting multiple weight classes, the wrestlers had to rack up bonus points when they were able to.
Angelina Watson, typically at 117, bumped up to 124. Watson was winning 8-1 on the verge of a technical fall. It was a score that would have netted the Bison three team points. Instead, Watson hit a headlock to put her opponent on her back and tie the dual at 20 a piece.
Then at 138, Kasey Kophazy forgoed her typical weight class. She bumped up to 145 to another tough opponent. However, her ability to avoid getting pinned gave the Bison an opportunity to win the dual outright.
The next three matches were simple for Bethany: Pin and win.
Jasmine Craddock was the first to bump up. In the first period, they went for broke and put the Purple Raider to their back. The Bethany bench was starting to grow with excitement, but the match continued to the second period in a saved-by-the-bell situation.
After the 30 second break and nearing a tech fall, Craddock knew that a pin was needed to keep the team in the match. Another throw was successfully hit, and a fall was called.
Building off the momentum of Craddock, Trinity Barrus knew what was at stake. The pin specialist had a taller task than normal, giving up over 25 pounds to her opponent.
After a chess match in the first period, Barrus felt herself gaining control early in the second. She cranked up the pressure, improving her position by the second. After a minute of a struggle, Barrus took her opponent directly to her back. The bench erupted as the pin kept the Bison alive.
Bethany came into the final three bouts down 14 team points. Miraculously, entering the final bout of the night, the team had a chance to win.
Shanielah Kirk gave all she had at heavyweight, but could not get it done against her ranked opponent. The Bison fell 28-20.
Bethany has officially qualified for the regional tournament hosted by Tiffin University. There are four regions hosting a tournament around the country. If an athlete would place in the top four, said athlete would advance to Nationals. The event will be a one day tournament on February 22nd. Time is to be announced.
Mount Union 28, Bethany 20
103: Mary Tracey (BETH) over (MOUN) (For.)
110: Maddie Bean (MOUN) over (BETH) (For.)
117: Aubrey Filsinger (MOUN) over (BETH) (For.)
124: Angelina Watson (BETH) over lliana Men-Hartley (MOUN) (Fall 2:48)
131: Ariel Manning (MOUN) over Monica Bird (BETH) (Fall 1:01)
138: Emma Hanrahan (MOUN) over (BETH) (For.)
145: Karlie Stith (MOUN) over Kasey Kophazy (BETH) (TF 10-0 1:32)
160: Jasmine Craddock (BETH) over Shelby Walker (MOUN) (Fall 4:09)
180: Trinity Barrus (BETH) over Hailey Rose-Caldwell (MOUN) (Fall 3:30)
207: Lyndsee Young (MOUN) over Shanielah Kirk (BETH) (TF 10-0 1:36)
This article was written by Assistant Director of Athletic Communications Colin Herb. If you believe that there are mistakes in information-- or have a separate thought relating to the event in the article-- please email cherb@bethanywv.edu for any corrections/comments.
