Eagle wrestlers celebrate Senior Night by dominating Midview
The only way Senior Night could have gone any better for Avon’s wrestlers would be if somebody came up with a miracle cure for a torn meniscus so Connor Krystowski’s high school career wouldn’t have to be over.
Short of that miracle, Avon’s other four seniors were all winners Thursday as the Eagles rolled past visiting Midview, 54-9, in a dual meet that was postponed in January due to severe weather. In truth, not all four of the 12th-graders wrestled, as Tony Mrosko (144 pounds) and Kane Sparks (150) both won by forfeit. Only five matches were actually wrestled, and the rest were either forfeits or double forfeits.
With hardly any wrestling actually happening, the match still provided the opportunity to recognize the senior class.
“This is my first full class,” said coach Mark Jayne. “They were freshmen when I came in as coach. I couldn’t have asked for a better first class. These guys were dedicated. They’re great people to be with and to work with. We’re going to miss them. Not just on the mat, but just as people. They’re good people.”
The two seniors who actually did wrestle were Jack Schumacher at 165 and Eian Englehart at 215. Both won by pin, Schumacher with 27 seconds left in the second period, and Englehart just 52 seconds into the match.
Schumacher, who placed second in the Southwestern Conference tournament last week, is now 27-11 on the season.
“It was great getting a pin,” he said. “It was in front of my family and my friends. I’m just thankful for them. I’m thankful for my coaches, I’m thankful for my teammates. They all got me here.”
For Englehart, who has only lost one match of 39 this season, the pin was the 119th of his career, an ongoing school record, making Senior Night even more meaningful.
“It’s just really special,” he said. “I’ve seen all the seniors growing up get to experience this, and it’s just a really nice experience to get to celebrate with my friends.”
The only other Avon wrestler to win a competed match was sophomore Evan Branham, who won by pin in the middle of the second period at 190. The Eagles also picked up forfeit wins by B Ruan (138), Matt Dooris (157), Sebastian Vidalon (175) and Derek Weitzel (285) as they prepare to compete in the sectional tournament at Maple Heights High School the weekend of February 28.
“Our main goal from conference meet to this dual meet is just prepping for sectionals,” Jayne said. “That’s the main goal, getting ready for that. So, you want to fine tune everything and make sure we’re feeling good. We’ve got a few more things we’re going to keep improving up until sectionals, and we’re going to make sure we’ve got them feeling well and healthy. Then, we’re just going to leave it all out there. That’s the goal. Win or lose, no regrets.”
