Prospect packs some punch at Elk Grove
Prospect spoiled the party Elk Grove threw before a packed Senior and Youth League Night on Friday with a 48-12 victory in the regular-season finale for both MSL East clubs.
The lower end of the lineup for the visiting Knights (14-12) did most of the damage, breaking open the match with four straight victories, the last coming via a fall by Emilio Alvarez at 135, to help extend the lead to a commanding 38-5.
"We knew coming in that Prospect had been wrestling well, and with so many young guys on our varsity roster, we're going to struggle some against a good club like (Prospect)," said Grens coach Craig Johnson.
The Knights, who've had 9 of their 12 defeats come against state-ranked opponents, started brightly with three consecutive victories as Chris Kozlowski (189) and Terry Thomas (285) bookended teammate Mike Gewenger with falls to give their club a quick 15-0 lead.
Bart Broda (12-9) slowed the Knights for just a moment or two with a fall just as the buzzer sounded to end the second period to help put the hosts on the board with 6 points at 103 pounds.
After that, though, Prospect went right back to work, beginning with freshman Josh Boggess, who with his fall at just 1:45 against Alex Mertes recorded his 30th victory.
Tom Mensing followed with a 4-0 decision over Matt Evans, sealing his win with a late deuce to close out Evans.
Abu Bakr, whom head coach Tom Whalen said later wrestled his best match of the season, tech-falled Joey Hauser at 5:08, using a second period 10-point explosion to build his big lead.
Just before the Alvarado pin, the Knights Tim Schweigel joined the 30-win club after his 10-3 victory at 130 pounds over Vince Greco.
"Boggess, Bakr, Leo Clark, who was just back from strep throat, and Brandon Thompson (26-8) all competed really well tonight, and especially (Thompson), who may have wrestled his best match of the season tonight as well," said Whalen.
"It's been all about working hard during the season, with coach (Whalen) and our staff really staying on me, and being pushed every day (in) the room," said Thompson, who won 17 last season at 145 pounds and moved his overall record to 26-8 this season after a dominant performance in his 14-2 major decision win at 152 pounds.
Tony Szplit (140) and Greg Johnsen (171) gave the Grens (7-11-0) their other victories, with Johnsen (16-13) ending the festivities with a 9-1 major over Beau Zanea, using a takedown and near fall in the first period.
"We're slowly coming around as a team and program, and in fact, all three of our wins tonight came from underclassmen," said Johnson. "We've gone from 2-16 (last season) to 7-11 this year, and maybe it's a (lucky) 7-11 to help build off from."