Wilson earns big win over Exeter
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
A resounding victory over a division rival would thrill most coaches.
And while Wilson wrestling coach Jason Gibble was happy after Wednesday’s 50-17 Berks I road victory over Exeter, he wasn’t exactly thrilled.
“We wrestled well, but not up to what we can,” Gibble said. “We’ve still got work to do.”
The Bulldogs (2-0, 12-1) made quick work of Exeter (1-1, 1-1) in what was expected to be their biggest obstacle toward a third straight division title. Wilson scored five falls and received two forfeits to move within one victory of clinching another division title.
But Gibble isn’t thinking about winning a Berks I title, or even capturing a third BCIAA championship in the last four years. His goals are bigger for a veteran team that has three wrestlers who already have more than 100 wins.
“For the most part it’s a big win,” Gibble said. “We just want to get through the league and concentrate on some of the upcoming team stuff.
“We’re more or less looking to win a district championship. That’s the goal, to win districts as a team.”
The victory moved the Bulldogs atop the District 3 Class 3A power rankings with just one dual meet remaining. Wilson’s final regular season dual meet will be at home Wednesday against a Gov. Mifflin team that already lost to Exeter this season.
Ryan McMillan, one of Wilson’s trio in the 100-win club, had the quickest fall of the night, needing just 53 seconds to win at 215 pounds. Junior Blaise Eidle, who reached the century mark earlier this season, won a major decision at 172. Jimmy Garcia, the other Bulldog with more than 100 wins, received a forfeit.
“They’re a tough team,” said Exeter coach Kevin Oswalt. “They were better than us tonight.”
The Eagles got a few big individual performances from seniors Michael Borja and Ashton Warchol along with freshman Kevin Oswalt, the coach’s son.
Borja needed less than one period to score a technical fall at 139 before Warchol closed the match with a fall at 152. Oswalt scored a 15-4 major decision over Ethan Brownback in a matchup of highly touted freshmen 189-pounders.
But Wilson had far more power throughout the lineup. Matteo Garcia at 160, Logan Kurzweg at 285, Trevor Hertzog at 107 and Reese Eidle at 121 also scored falls for Wilson. Sophomore McKaden Speece, a state qualifier last year, received the other forfeit for the Bulldogs.
Although the final score looked good to most Wilson fans, it didn’t quite impress Gibble.
“It’s always good to beat Exeter but we’re looking for bigger and better things right now,” Gibble said. “We’ve got a lot of stuff we have to fine tune yet.”