Neuqua Valley comeback catches Waubonsie Valley
The Neuqua Valley wrestling team made Friday night twice as nice.
It was Senior Night, and all six varsity seniors won their matches asthe Wildcats beat rival Waubonsie Valley 38-28.
The Wildcats were trailing 28-17 but went on to win the next four matches, including the last three by pinfall.
Senior Alex Cizek (145 pounds) started the win streak with a 7-2 decision over Pierce Lueders. Following Cizek's win was 152-pound Luke Pigott, who pinned Jason O'Brien at the 2:19 match. Then, with the Warriors leading 28-26 with two matches remaining, senior Nick Proctor (160), who is committed to wrestle at Michigan State, had a hip-toss on Elton Manuel and rolled him twice before finally putting his shoulders to the mat.
"Every practice is the same for us, we don't look too far ahead for anyone," Proctor said. "My match was big for us tonight. I was just trying to get us some extra points with something more than a decision. I was glad I could help the team out."
Then it was fellow senior Andy Spangler's (171) turn to finish the comeback for the Wildcats. Spangler scored 12 points in the first period before putting Anthony Touchstone's shoulders down at the 3:02 point of the match to give the Wildcats a 38-28 win.
"This was especially nice for us tonight," Spangler said. "Not only did all the seniors win their matches on Senior Night, but we were able to beat Waubonsie Valley. I don't know which one is sweeter. Even when we were trailing with four matches to go, I didn't get worried. I know that the next four guys going for us are pretty strong. We had a nice performance tonight."
For Waubonsie Valley, 135-pounder John Manix had the most impressive match of the night, pinning Dillon Lacke in just 52 seconds. While that win did give the Warriors a 25-17 win at the time, it wasn't enough to help the Warriors win the match.
"I knew that my team needed me there and I wanted to give us that lift," Manix said. "This is our big rivalry so I knew that both teams would be ready. It was an intense match."