Eagles fall in double dual to Warriors, Falcons

South Putnam senior Ethan Harcourt won both of his matches by fall Tuesday night as the Eagles lost a one-point dual to Danville before later falling to North Vermillion.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

South Putnam’s wrestling squad got a final tune-up in for the WIC Meet this weekend, hosting Danville and North Vermillion for a double dual Tuesday night.

The dual between the Eagles and Warriors came down to the final match with a fall giving the visitors a narrow 34-33 win while the Falcons came in later and won five of the seven contested matches for a 52-30 win.

“I’d like to have a couple matches back,” South Putnam head coach Antonio Hernandez said. “We had (Danville) where we wanted them but didn’t capitalize.

“We need to get better at finishing and more conditioned. We’re still a young team and need to keep going. I’m proud of our older guys, especially Ethan (Harcourt), who came out, dominated and has had a great year.”

Wrestling began at 195 pounds where Harcourt pinned Skylar Armour in the opening period followed by Aiden Beadles falling in the second period to Brayden Hahn at 220 pounds.

Preston Pelfrey and Isaac Boyce received forfeits at 285 and 113 pounds before action resumed with Julian Cox winning by decision over Chad Mace at 126 pounds and Gabe Thomas receiving a forfeit at 132 pounds.

Danville rallied as Bryce Hahn won by major decision over Logan Tomaw at 138 pounds, Nick Tuttle pinned Harry Eaglin at 145 pounds and John Henry pinned Caleb Heet at 152 pounds.

Wyatt Speth pulled a win back by fall at 160 pounds over Hunter Adams but a forfeit to Gabe Williams at 170 pounds and a pin for Sean Robinson over Jeremy Sutherlin at 182 pounds saw the Warriors escape with a one-point win in the team dual.

After senior night festivities took place, South Putnam squared off with North Vermillion, starting off at 220 pounds where Preston Pelfrey fell to Aiden Hinchee in the second period.

Beadles received a forfeit at 285 pounds, as did Aleyah Ross, Shawn Martin and Aden Rangel for the Falcons at 106, 113 and 120 pounds.

Cox lost by major decision to Wyatt Walters at 126 pounds while Thomas and Tomaw received forfeits at 132 and 138 pounds.

North Vermillion added wins at 145 pounds as Eaglin fell to Andrew Botner and 152 pounds with Brady Cope pinning Heet before a Speth pin at 160 pounds in the third period over Quintin Holt.

Landon Baker received a forfeit at 170 pounds for the Falcons to seal the team win while Sutherlin fell to Ian Griffin at 182 pounds.

Harcourt bookended the night with a first-period fall over Tony Tucker at 195 pounds.

South Putnam will next compete at the WIC Meet Saturday with Hernandez looking for the wrestlers to prove some of their seedings were a little shy of where they belonged.

“I’m a little disappointed in a few of our seeds but I want those guys to finish higher than their seed,” Hernandez said. “Ethan, who is our top guys with a three-seed, I’d like to see him get into the championship match.

“I want the guys to come out with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.”