Blue Devils Fall to Franklin

The DHS Wrestling team, lead by Head Coach Ty Brown, opened league competition against perennial powerhouse Franklin at home on Tuesday. For most of the meet, the Blue Devils fared well against the Wildcats, trading leads in the light-weight and mid-weight divisions. But in the upper weight classes, the Devils had no answer for the more experienced Franklin team.

Co-captain Philip Toy at 112 pounds set the pace early for the Devils. Toy, the defending DVC league champion, started the season where he left off last year. Scoring numerous take down and near fall points, Toy, a junior, controlled the tempo and kept his opponent scoreless, winning 14-0.

Junior Spencer Abildgaard at 119 pounds won a fiercely competitive match. Starting the third period ahead 11-6, Abildgaard seemed to have the match under control. Rather than starting in the top position, Abildgaard surrendered 1 point to began the 3rd period in the neutral position. It seemed like a mistake, because the Franklin wrestler immediately scored a take down for 2 more points and trapped Abildgaard in a cradle. Twice, Abildgaard was on his back, but each time he broke free before the required 3 count. When it seemed like it couldn't get any worse, the referee warned Abildgaard about stalling, his lead now down to 1 point. Abildgaard fought back hard, however, and scored a reversal in the final seconds to seal his victory, 13-10.

With several losses at the 125 to 140 pound divisions, the Blue Devils seemed to lose their composure, then senior and co-captain Cody Calhoun at 145 pounds stepped on the mat. In what seemed like a scramble, Calhoun took a weak position and earned a take down, which he immediately converted to near fall points, then a pin--the only Blue Devil pin of the night! Calhoun's energy was infectious because 152 pound junior Matt Lundgren, in a tough match, earned 6 more team points when his opponent had to forfeit due to injury.

After 9 matches and 5 to go, the Blue Devils trailed by only 1 point (19-20). In the upper weight classes, however, the Wildcats took control and won the remaining matches to defeat the Blue Devils (19-50).

Notes: Co-Captain Stephen Hill did not compete due to injury. In the Junior Varsity competition, Ran Wang at 119 pounds won by decision 5-2. Next up the Varsity Team travels to Livermore on Saturday. On Friday, sophomore Hanna Herrera, the sole lady Blue Devil wrestler, will be competing in an all girls meet in Napa. The next league meet will be at home against Laguna Creek on Wednesday, Jan 13.