MP wrestlers beat up Burlington

The Mt. Pleasant wrestling team sent a message to future Southeast Conference foe Burlington on Thursday night.

The Panthers faced the Grayhounds for the final time before the two schools compete in the same conference, and they gave the Hounds something to think about, topping them 51-27 in Mt. Pleasant's final home dual meet.

The night's varsity action started at 160 lbs., where Jayden Davis won via forfeit. James DeMeyer followed at 170 lbs., pinning Burlington's Landon Wynn late in the third period.

Burlington took the next two matches. Tyler Bailey pinned Sam Carrasco in the second period of the 182 lbs. match, and Elias Cordero took down Trevor Wellington in the 195 lbs., pinning him in the third period.

Zach Beason dominated the 220 lbs. match to give Mt. Pleasant another win. He pinned Nate Garlow in the first period. The Grayhounds tied the meet back up at 18-18 when Tyler Bailey pinned Chase Adams in 46 seconds.

Abby Blint and Brayden Ackles picked up six points apiece with victories by forfeit in the 106 lbs. and 113 lbs. matches respectively. Carson Coleman grinded out an 11-7 win over Burlington's Ian Taylor for three points, and the Panthers led 33-18.

Burlington cut the lead back to 33-24 with wins at 126 lbs. and 132 lbs. River Belger pinned Dalton Moyle with less than five seconds left in the third period to lock up the 126 lbs. match, and Duncan Delzell survived Avante Henley with an 8-5 decision win at 132 lbs.

Tyler Raub made quick work of Burlington's Trenton Gebhardt at 138 lbs., pinning him in 58 seconds. Nate Wallace had another pin for the Panthers, beating Jacob Ackerman in the first period, and the dual was closed out on a forfeit win by Abe Wilson.

'It's definitely good for the seniors,” Coach Anthony Blint said after the win. 'It's always good, especially when you have this many seniors, to send them out on a winning note. This is (also) a district opponent tonight, so that was awful nice to get some of these guys' seeds.”

Blint also commented on the future of the SEC with Burlington set to join the conference next season.

'Coach Huff always kids ready to go,” he said. 'Every year every coach battles numbers and everything and different items. No matter if he's only bringing in seven kids in the varsity lineup, they're going to be seven kids who are ready to scrap.”

Mt. Pleasant has one more tournament left before the postseason. The Panthers will take part in the Southern Iowa Classic in Fairfield on Saturday, Jan. 26.

MT. PLEASANT 51 vs. BURLINGTON 27: 160: Jayden Davis wins by forfeit. 170: James DeMeyer pins Landon Wynn (5:30). 182: Sam Carrasco pinned by Tyler Bailey (3:32). 195: Trevor Wellington pinned by Elias Cordero (4:56). 220: Zach Beason pins Nash Garlow (1:10). 285: Chase Adams pinned by Tyler Bailey (0:46). 106: Abby Blint wins by forfeit. 113: Brayden Ackles wins by forfeit. 120: Carson Coleman dec. Ian Taylor (11-7). 126: Dalton Moyle pinned by River Belger (5:56). 132: Avante Henley loses by dec. to Duncan Delzell (8-5). 138: Tyler Raub pins Trenton Gebhardt (0:58). 145: Nate Wallace pins Jacob Ackermann (1:24). 152: Abe Wilson wins by forfeit.