Panther wrestlers pound Keokuk

KEOKUK - The Mt. Pleasant wrestling team flexed their muscle on Thursday night at their road dual with Keokuk. The Panthers crushed the Chiefs 66-15 in their first Southeast Conference dual of the year.

Mt. Pleasant had a couple of long winning streaks in the match and finished the night with six pins on its way to 1-0 in conference play.

Keokuk jumped out to an early 6-0 lead at 285 lbs. Mt. Pleasant's Chase Adams was disqualified in the 285 lbs. match, giving the Chiefs the win.

The Panthers responded with four wins in a row, three of which came via forfeit. Corbin Broeker, Carson Coleman and Brayden Ackles had wins at the three smallest weights, and Dalton Moyle picked up a pin in the 126 lbs. match.

Tyler Raub lost a tough 12-8 decision at 132 lbs, but once again the Panthers responded with a big winning streak, this time being five in a row.

Avante Henley won via pinfall in the 138 lbs. match, taking it in the first period. After a forfeit win from Nathan Wallace at 145 lbs., Mt. Pleasant won three more matches in a row, all by first-period pin.

Abe Wilson won the 152 lbs. match with a pin in 1:31. Jayden Davis pinned his man at 1:55 during the 160 lbs. match, and James DeMeyer pinned his man in one minute at 170 lbs.

Brennen Bender was pinned in 47 seconds for another Keokuk win at 182 lbs., but Sam Carrasco stole back some momentum in the 195 lbs. match by pinning his man in 1:38. Zach Beason won the 220 lbs. match fia forfeit.

Mt. Pleasant is now 2-0 in duals. They'll be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Tiger duals in Grinnell.