The Bluejays posted a 4-2 record on the week of action, but the placement of the two losses was hardly optimal.
The Jays fell 46-24 to SPASH in Thursday’s road dual in a battle for second place in the Valley, then lost the opener in Saturday’s Zelinski Duals in Whitnall.
The 37-29 defeat to Hartford dropped the Jays into the consolation bracket, and from there they swept their way home to ninth.
“We’re not used to losing that early, but we did win four more duals,” MHS coach Scott Arneson said. “Personally, I think we’re better than we’re wrestling. We’ve got two more weeks before (the) conference (meet). Hopefully, we can get the kids to open up more.”
Aidan Ball (113), Devon Schultz (120), Scott Arneson (132/138) and Tanner Pettit (145) all posted perfect 5-0 records on the day. Mason Reinhardt (170) was 4-1 with a 4-2 loss to Hartford’s Beau Breske – the #2-ranked wrestler in the country – while wrestling up at 182. Hunter Welch (132/138, 3-0), Brady Schmelling (138, 2-0), Lucas Lee (160, 3-2), Collin Zoellner (220, 3-2), Christian Kleinschmidt (285, 3-2), Seth Collins (195, 2-3), Brett Swan (126, 1-3), Riley Kurtz (182, 1-3) and Brandon McCarthy (152, 1-4) competed.
Merrill pulled out wins over Brookfield Central (50-15), Green Bay Preble (54-20), Beaver Dam (48-26) and Fond du Lac (58-18).
SPASH splash
The Jays grabbed a 12-6 edge after three matches, but Point took four straight and 7-of-11 remaining.
“We just got beat by a better team,” Arneson said. “They pretty much had their full line-up and we could have had one or two changes, but that’s probably not enough to change the outcome. The reality is you’ve got to not get pinned. The other thing that’s hurting us is giving up six points (forfeit) at 106 pounds. That’s giving up a touchdown”
Wins were garnered by Arneson (2:30), Schmelling (forf.), Reinhardt (1:55), Zoellner (7-2) and Schultz (3-2).
Losses came from Swan (1:15), Pettit (3-2), McCarthy (3:40), Lee (2-1), Collins (2:34), Kleinschmidt (:53), Ball (12-0) and two forfeits.