Shorthanded Trojans forfeit eight matches against Oskaloosa

OSKALOOSA ? For the first time in a long time, the Trojans knew before they had even taken the mat Thursday that they wouldn?t have a chance at a dual victory.

Taking a six-member varsity squad up to Oskaloosa, the Trojans were simply battling for individual success as they forfeited more than half of their matches to drop a 48-21 dual to the Indians.

It was an uncharacteristically empty lineup for the Fairfield squad, which had seen its numbers hit recently by injuries and illness. It also served as a stark contrast to last season?s performance against the Indians, when Fairfield forfeited only one match.

?It?s probably one of the worst non-full lineups ever,? Fairfield head coach Steve Miller said. ?But for the guys who were here, I?m very pleased with the way those guys wrestled.?

Forfeits put the Fairfield wrestling team in a 24-0 hole before any Trojan had even taken the mat. Ammon Shaner (138) was the first wrestler up for Fairfield at 6:30 p.m. and needed very little time in getting the Trojans on the scoreboard with a pin in 1:24. Aaron Gevock (145) followed with a pin of his own at the end of the second period.

?Gevock and Shaner wrestled a couple of their best matches ever,? Miller said. ?They went out and dominated tonight, and I was real glad to see that.?

The Trojans? individual success continued into their third match of the evening with Quinton Bradfield (152) pinning his opponent in the first period. Jake Meinart, who had missed practice most of the week with strep throat, stepped in and got the Trojans? fourth and final victory at heavyweight, a 9-2 victory.

Even with the diminished lineup, Miller, in his first year as head coach, remains optimistic about his team?s future.

?Christmas break is coming up at a good time for us,? said Miller. ?We?ll get healed of our injuries and illnesses, and after the break we should be a better, stronger team and everyone should fit in at the right weight.?

The Trojans travel to Iowa City Regina for tournament action Saturday prior to heading into the Christmas break.

Oskaloosa 48, Fairfield 21

106 ? forfeited; 113 ? forfeited; 120 ? forfeited; 126 ? forfeited; 132 ? forfeited; 138 ? Shaner (FF) win by fall 1:24; 145 ? Aaron Gevock (FF) win by fall 3:55; 152 ? Bradfield (FF) win by fall 1:24; 160 ? McConeghy (FF) lost by fall 1:14; 170 ? forfeited; 182 ? forfeited; 195 ? forfeited; 220 ? Metcalf (FF) lost by fall 1:17; 285 ? Meinart (FF) won by decision 9-2.