Wilkinson shines at 285; PCC falls to Labette County

PRATT — Labette Community College won six of 10 matches to down Pratt Community College 31-9 in a battle of nationally ranked wrestling teams Tuesday.

Labette, ranked second in the nation, walked out three 2006 All-Americans. One fell.

PCC, sixth nationally, forfeited 197 to open the match, but recovered quickly.

The Beavers’ 285-pounder Carl Wilkinson, ranked eighth in the nation, upset third-ranked and 2006 All-American Willie Weber 5-3.

Wilkinson’s win did not ignite a run.

Cardinal All-Americans Tim Elliot and Josh Baldridge won at 125 and 133. PCC’s Colby Crawford then fell at 141 to Marcus Bowman 11-3.

Labette used the victories to forge a 21-3 lead.

Ryan England broke the Cardinals’ momentum, nipping Drew Hare 3-2 at 149.

Another nationally ranked matchup followed, ending in the Beavers’ favor.

PCC’s Jason Nichols and Joe Yust met at 157. Yust held the higher ranking, third, but Nichols, ranked fourth, earned a third-period penalty point, breaking a 1-1 tie and giving him a 2-1 triumph.

Nichols’s win brought the Beavers within 12 points, 21-9, but Labette swept the next three weight classes to close out the match.

The Cardinals are now 9-0. PCC falls to 3-2.

The Beavers host Neosho County Thu., Jan 11, at 7 p.m.

Labette CC 31, Pratt CC 9

197: PCC forfeit;
285: Wilkerson P dec. Weber L 5-3;
125: Elliot L dec. Banta P 19-3;
133: Baldridge L pin Fox P 4:20;
141: Bowman L dec. Crawford P 11-3;
149: England P dec. Hare L 3-2;
157: Jason Nichols P dec. Yust L 2-1;
165: Morgan L dec. McGrew P 6-0;
174: Rencountre L dec. Fairley P 9-6;
184: Irvin L dec. Scheer P 15-5.