The Boone Central wrestling team got its 2008-09 season underway with a dual in Albion vs. David City Aquinas Thursday and a trip north Saturday to compete in the annual O’Neill Invitational. The Card grapplers had a successful week – defeating Aquinas and placing fourth at O’Neill with two individual champions – and set up another strong campaign for one of the state’s storied mat programs.
The Cardinal wrestling team used the advantage of several unopposed matches and also took care of business on the mat to defeat visiting David City Aquinas 60-17 in a season-opening dual Thursday, Dec. 4.
The Cards won six matches by forfeit and also got four pins in piling up their point total.
Although it was an easy victory, it was not an ideal situation, said Boone Central Coach Dale Bonge.
“The only real disappointment was Aquinas not fielding a full team, so many of our guys didn’t get matches,” the veteran mentor commented. “We get no experience from just getting our hand raised due to a forfeit. You have to have competition to improve.
“On the positive side, we also won just counting the eight matches wrestled, as the score would have been 24-17,” Bonge added.
Boone Central got positive results from veterans and newcomers alike.
In its first tourney action of 2008-09, Boone Central crowned two weight class champions and placed a solid fourth in the team standings of the O’Neill Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday, Dec. 6.
A strong host squad won the competition easily, but the Cardinals battled evenly with runner-up Ainsworth and third-place Valentine.
“We had some great efforts and performances in this meet,” said Card Coach Dale Bonge. “We ended up in fourth place, but with just a few minor changes here and there in our matches we could have pretty easily picked up a few more wins, a couple more place-winners and some higher finishes by those who did place.
“The combined effect could have propelled us into second place, giving us good reason to be optimistic about this season.”
Seniors Kevin Krohn and Dustin Martin led the way for Boone Central, capturing championships at 130 and 171 pounds, respectively. Senior Tyler Iverson was runner-up at 145 pounds and seniors Kaleb Carey (135) and Keir Dane Harner (189) placed third.
Complete Details in Print Edition of Albion News.
