By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s wrestling team opened the season on Saturday (Nov. 26) by winning 28 of 36 matches (22 by pin) and defeating three opponents at the O’Fallon Duals.
The Bulldogs opened the season by dispatching Collinsville 69-12 and then overcame a 33-16 deficit to edge Edwardsville, 37-33, before concluding with a 48-15 triumph over O’Fallon.
Two M-S seniors pinned all three of their opponents: Brennan Houser (195 pounds) and Mateo Casillas (220 pounds).
Casillas finished each of his matches in the first period. Houser had the team’s fastest fall of the day (27 seconds) and ended two of his bouts in the first period and the other 50 seconds into the second period.
Other Bulldogs who were 3-0 for the day were Camden Heinold (two pins at 132 pounds), Tallen Pawlak (two pins at 145 pounds) and Deandre Hughey (two pins at 152 pounds).
Finishing the day with 2-1 records were Justus Vrona (120 pounds), Reese Wilson (two pins at 126 pounds) and Cale Hillard (two pins at 170 pounds).
Colton McClure (106 pounds) and Caden Hatton (113 pounds) were each 2-0 for the day. Hatton pinned both of his opponents.
Winning once by pin were Nick Demos (160 pounds), Camden Harms (285 pounds) and Colton Crowley (285 pounds). Harms and Crowley just had one match at O’Fallon.
After losing six of the meet’s first 10 matches against Edwardsville (including a forfeit loss at 138 pounds), M-S regrouped to win the final four matches.
The comeback against the Tigers started with a pin by Houser in 62 seconds. Next up was Casillas, who prevailed in 1 minute and 24 seconds. Crowley then boosted the Bulldogs into the lead with a fall in 67 seconds.
That left the score at 34-33 in M-S’ favor and meant the outcome of the final bout, at 106 pounds, between M-S freshman McClure and Bryson Nutall would determine the meet’s winner.
McClure clinched the team victory with a 7-6 triumph, making M-S even in the meet in one-point verdicts. Demos, at 160 pounds, dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision.
