Rockets Wrestling Come Up Short in Competitive CWC Senior Night Matchups

Bay's Wrestling team came up just short in both ends of its CWC Dual Finale and Senior Night on Thursday, falling 42-40 to Valley Forge and 50-30 to Normandy despite a series of strong individual performances from its lower and midd weights.

Against Valley Forge, the Rockets controlled the action in most contested bouts, winning seven of the 11 matches wrestled but ultimately dropping the dual 42-40. Juniors Carter Baruxes (138) and Brock Kunes (150), freshman Max Prahl (120), and seniors Michael Surovi (132), Joe Beauchesne (144) and Ben Wagner (157) all recorded wins for Bay. The Rockets surged ahead on the scoreboard through the middle of the lineup, but forfeits and inexperience in the upper weights swung the final team result in Valley Forge’s favor.

The pattern repeated in the second dual against Normandy. Bay again built an early advantage behind its lightweights and middle weights before Normandy capitalized late to secure a 50-30 win. Prahl at 120, Surovi at 132, Beauchesne at 144, Kunes at 150 and Wagner at 157 each notched victories for the Rockets, giving Bay consistent production at those key classes throughout the night. However, the combination of open weights and a developing back end of the lineup left the Rockets vulnerable to big-point swings that Normandy converted into the decisive margin.

Across both duals, Prahl, Surovi, Beauchesne, Kunes and Wagner each posted two wins on the evening to lead Bay. Prahl’s performance at 120 stood out as the freshman set the tone in the lower weights, while Surovi, Beauchesne and Wagner, all seniors, delivered on Senior Night with steady results in the heart of the lineup. Kunes, a junior at 150, added to that core with two victories of his own, helping the Rockets stay in front or within striking distance for much of each dual.

Baruxes and freshman Forrest Ramage (165) added one win apiece to round out the Rockets’ 12-11 overall mark in individual bouts on the night. That edge in head-to-head matches underlined Bay’s competitiveness despite the final team scores, as the Rockets frequently dictated pace and position when the lineup was full. The discrepancy came in the forfeited and inexperienced spots, where opponents were able to bank uncontested or quick points that ultimately made the difference in both duals.

The twin losses dropped Bay to 1-6 in CWC dual competition, but the results also highlighted a core group capable of competing with league opponents. With a freshman already producing at 120, juniors anchoring the middle, and seniors showing leadership and resilience in their final home appearance, the Rockets set a foundation that could translate into individual postseason success and improved dual results as younger wrestlers gain mat time and experience.

As the Rockets move beyond Senior Night, the focus shifts from dual records to tournament performance and continued development across the roster. The night’s results underscored both the strength of Bay’s proven wrestlers and the importance of building depth throughout the lineup, a combination that will shape how the program progresses in the closing weeks of the season and into future CWC campaigns.

Next up for the Rockets is the annual CWC Conference Wrestling Tournament hosted by Westlake High School on Saturday. Come out and support your Rocket Wrestling Team! Go Rockets!