Web posted Friday, January 19, 2007

McPherson rallies to defeat A.C.

By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor

The Ark City wrestling team gained a big lead Thursday night, but could not hang on in its 40-33 loss to McPherson at ACHS.

Two forfeits in the middle of the dual cost them, as McPherson gained 12 points to gain a lead they would never surrender.

Early on, the Bulldogs look like they were going to cruise to the win.

Ark City quickly gained six points when the Bullpups had to forfeit its 103-pound match. After Kash Biddle suffered a tough 10-9 decision to McPherson's Barton Hageman, the Bulldogs got rolling.

Garrett Jones, replacing Aaron Hoag (injury) in the 119-pound class, pulled out a 3-2 decision over Tyler Davis.

Trison Graham (125 pounds) and Kirk Godfrey (130) extended Ark City's lead to 21-3 by pinning each of their opponents.

But the middle portion of the dual hurt the Bulldogs. They lost six straight matches -- two forfeits and three falls -- to fall behind 36-21 heading into the last three matches.

Scott Elliott (189) provided a key win when he pinned Bullpup Ben Richter to pull Ark City to within 36-27.

Alex Whitehill proved to be too much for Clint Bruce in their 215-pound match as Whitehill recorded an 11-0 major decision to officially win the dual for McPherson.

Results:

103 -- King won by forfeit;
112 -- Hageman (McP) dec. 10-9 Biddle (AC);
119 -- Jones (AC) dec. 3-2 Davis (McP);
125 -- Graham (AC) pinned B. Turner (McP);
130 -- Godfrey (AC) pinned D. Turner (McP);
135 -- Nelson (McP) won by forfeit;
140 -- Monrail (McP) dec. 12-7 Hernandez (AC);
145 -- Julian (McP) pinned Warr (AC);
152 -- Barry (McP) won by forfeit;
160 -- McMurray (McP) pinned Marr (AC);
171 -- Graber (McP) pinned Brandt (AC);
189 -- Elliott (AC) pinned Richter (McP);
215 -- Whitehill (McP) MajDec. 11-0 Bruce (AC);
285 -- Hewitt (AC) pinned Moore (McP).