GHS halts Sparkplugs on the mat

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Greencastle freshman Kody Collins contorts Speedway's Jesse McIntosh during the 119-weight class match Tuesday. Collins avenged his conference final loss to McIntosh with a second period pin.

GREENCASTLE -- Coming off its West Central Conference team title Saturday, Greencastle entered Tuesday meet with Speedway with one wrestler having some unfinished business.

Kody Collins came in second to Speedway's Jesse McIntosh Saturday, but on Tuesday it was a different story. Collins came out aggressive, and as the old adage states, saved the best for last.

"That was a rematch of the conference finals and things went the other way for us last time and Kody came through. I knew it was a match he had been thinking about all day, and probably all weekend, since he got beat and I knew he was upset about it. It was good to see him come back and win," GHS head coach Matt McComish said.

After gaining an early advantage over McIntosh, Collins watched as his opponent closed the gap in the second period. Then it was time for Collins to make his move.

McIntosh closed in on Collins and attempted a move. Collins twisted, jumped over and took his adversary to the ground to the win at the 1:23 in the second period. The move that won the match looked part wrestling move and part superhero leap.

"He caught him with a cross face cradle and he jumped over the top of him and it was nice and he caught it perfectly and he rolled through with it. Kody's a great scrambler and he out-scrambled him," McComish commented.

Greencastle had nine other wrestlers pick up wins on the night as well. Coming away victorious by fall were Tyler Hudson (130), Nolan Lewis (152) and Codi Duncan (285). Gaining wins by decision were Kyle Kelly (103) and Jessie Ford (171).

Riley Boswell (125), Hunter Smith (135), Tommy Downing (140) and Carter Lewis (145) all won by forfeit.

McComish was happy with the way his team performed on the night, but acknowledged a foe they met earlier in the season is going to offer up a big challenge tomorrow.

"We looked solid tonight on the whole. Once again, we have a tough team coming in here on Thursday with Danville and they've already beaten us once this year. So, that's definitely going to test us. Then after that we have to continue to improve and get ready for sectional," he said.

Another element of Tuesday's win that impressed McComish was the way his team didn't suffered any type of letdown from Saturday's emotional win. Coming in to the match, he wasn't quite sure what to expect.

"I wasn't sure. I thought we might be flat coming out, but the guys warmed up well, got ready to wrestle and they did a good job tonight," McComish commented.

Greencastle will host Danville Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

At Greencastle

Greencastle 55, Speedway 21

103 -- Kelly (GHS) def. Craney (SW) 6-1 Dec.

112 -- Campbell (SW) Fall Law (GHS) :49

119 -- Collins (GHS) Fall McIntosh (SW) 1:23

125 -- Boswell (GHS) Forfeit

130 -- Hudson (GHS) Fall Kennison (SW) :44

135 -- Smith (GHS) Forfeit

140 -- Downing (GHS) Forfeit

145 -- Lewis (GHS) Forfeit

152 -- N. Lewis (GHS) Fall Zarco (SW) :03

160 -- Judkins (SW) Fall Keil (GHS) :42

171 -- Ford (GHS) def. Slusher (SW) Dec. 13-2

189 -- Espique (SW) def. Fenwick (GHS) Dec. 9-8

215 -- Dunn (SW) Fall Hayden (GHS) 1:37

285 -- Duncan (GHS) Fall Schall (SW) 1:37

Next game -- Greencastle will host Danville Thursday at 6:30 p.m.