Small numbers hinder Pekin at first wrestling competition

The Pekin wrestling team hosted Lynnville-Sully, B-G-M (Brooklyn) and Sigourney-Keota for the first competition of the season Tuesday.

Pekin struggled when it came to team scores because they only had seven wrestlers available to compete.

?We only had seven guys to put on the mat, so we knew the team results weren?t going to happen,? Pekin coach Al Chapman said.

The Panthers lost to Lynnville-Sully 54-18. Scott Entsminger (182) won his match by fall. Trenton Conger (220) and Zach Buller (126) each won their matches as well.

Pekin also was defeated by Sigourney-Keota. Entsminger, Buller and Tyler Copeland (170) each won their matches.

The Panthers will get two more wrestlers back before Saturday?s Pekin Invitational, which will improve their team scores.

?That little group that we tossed out their tonight did pretty well,? Chapman said. ?We were in all but two matches the entire night. I?m pleasantly surprised because you never know how the first meet of the year is going to go.

Saturday?s Pekin Invitational starts at 9:30 a.m. Pekin will also host on Thursday when Columbus and Cardinal travel to Packwood.