The Seneca Indians beat Branson 45-36 and Glendale 55-21 on the wrestling mat Thursday in Branson.
They were without returning state champion Jesse Rhoades due to rest, but the Class 1 Indians competed with their 10 other state-ranked wrestlers to sweep the triangular match against Branson and Glendale.
“They’re quality teams,” said Seneca head coach Jeff Sill. “It’s just a great experience to come out here and do everything to kind of getting back in our ritual and doing things the way they need to be done. Good competition.”
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Matt Caputo (126), Trey Smith (145), Blake Hodge (152), Taylor Cook (160), and Lance Hymer (170) all defeated both of their opponents by fall or technical fall for Seneca. Smith, ranked No. 1 in Class 1 at 138 pounds, was wrestling up at 145 because of Rhoades’ absence.
“We’ve got some kids that are pretty close to 50 matches going into districts,” said Sill, “and we’re going to have to kind of move some kids around and do some things a little bit different.”
Branson split their duals, losing to Seneca and beating Glendale 45-27. Jacob Ulrich took fifth place at 132 pounds in the Class 3 state tournament last year, and he’s currently ranked No. 6 in Class 3 at 138. Ulrich defeated both of his opponents by fall on Thursday.
“Ulrich is our team captain,” said Branson coach Robert Pittman. “He’s one of those guys that every match, he brings it. He’s just got so much technique and just the will to want to win every match. He’s overcoming some injuries too, so it’s good to see him come out and look like himself again.”
The Pirates will compete on Tuesday in a triangular in Ozark, followed by their annual Branson Tournament next Saturday. Pittman sees these opportunities as practice for the district tournaments, which determine who gets a seat in the state tournament.
“Everything we do is geared up for districts,” he said. “These duals are just practice. It’s good to get wins, but we’re just trying to keep kids healthy and especially this time of year. We’re six weeks away or so from districts.”
Glendale had two terrific wrestlers shine on Thursday despite dropping both team duals. Deitryck Tichner (220) pinned both of his opponents less than a minute into both bouts. Cameron Flannigan (182) defeated Seneca’s Jordan Bailey 5-1 and pinned Branson’s Blaike Jones in the first minute.
“[Tichner] is our team leader, our captain,” said Glendale coach Bud Donnell. “He’s the guy that we’ll see make it to the state tournament. He made it to the bubble match last year, missed going to state by one point… And Cameron Flannigan, he is a lovely surprise. He moved here from Illinois, and he’s been nothing but outstanding.”
Seneca will look to bring multiple kids to the state tournament as the district tournament looms closer.
“I think each one of our kids are special and they bring uniqueness to the spot that they’re wrestling,” said Sill. “And if there is an injury or something, we have to have somebody step up and take that spot, but each kid needs to come out and wrestle to their best ability. That’s what we’re concentrating on are the things that we can control.”
Seneca vs Glendale:
106 – Max Roark (Seneca) def. OPEN
113 – Dayton Fields (Seneca) def. Bailey Fisher by fall
120 – Dalton Hembree (Seneca) def. David Odun-Ayo 7-2
126 – Matt Caputo (Seneca) def. Jared Burnell by fall
132 – Cole Hatfield (Seneca) def. Zack Henry by fall
138 – Chris Hansen (Glendale) def. Dawson Stephens by fall
145 – Trey Smith (Seneca) def. Reuben Lopez by fall
152 – Blake Hodge (Seneca) def. Chad Lakin by tech fall 18-2
160 – Taylor Cook (Seneca) def. Darrell Pinell by fall
170 – Lance Hymer (Seneca) def. Marcus Reimonenq by fall
182 – Cameron Flannigan (Glendale) def. Jordan Bailey 5-1
195 – Tyler Castaneda (Seneca) def. Tyler Roberts by fall
220 – Deidryck Tichner (Glendale) def. Ross Short by fall
285 – Brett Davis (Glendale) def. OPEN
Seneca vs Branson:
106 – Max Roark (Seneca) def. Skyler Harris 4-0
113 – Dayton Fields (Seneca) def. OPEN
120 – Dalton Hembree (Seneca) def. OPEN
126 – Matt Caputo (Seneca) def. Kelly Henson by fall
132 – Hunter Holdenfield (Branson) def. Dawson Stephens by fall
138 – Jacob Ulrich (Branson) def. Cole Hatfield by fall
145 – Trey Smith (Seneca) def. Tristan Engel by fall
152 – Blake Hodge (Seneca) def. Collin Andrews by fall
160 – Taylor Cook (Seneca) def. Isaiah Wittmer by fall
170 – Lance Hymer (Seneca) def. Seth Watson by fall
182 – Blaike Jones (Branson) def. Jordan Bailey by fall
195 – Jordan Hall (Branson) def. Tyler Castaneda by fall
220 – Cameron Bunting (Branson) def. Ross Short by fall
285 – David Stacey (Branson) def. OPEN
Branson vs Glendale:
106 – OPEN
113 – Bailey Fisher (Glendale) def. Skyler Harris 9-2
120 – David Odun-Ayo (Glendale) def. OPEN
126 – (Branson) def. Jared Burnell by fall
132 – Hunter Holdenfield (Branson) def. Kelly Henson by fall
138 – Jacob Ulrich (Branson) def. Zack Henry by fall
145 – Tristan Engel (Branson) def. Reuben Lopez by fall
152 – Collin Andrews (Branson) def. Chad Lakin by fall
160 – Isaiah Wittmer (Branson) def. Darrell Pinell by fall
170 – Marcus Reimonenq (Glendale) def. Seth Watson by fall
182 – Cameron Flannigan (Glendale) def. Blaike Jones by fall
195 – Jordan Hall (Branson) def. Tyler Roberts by fall
220 – Deidryck Tichner (Glendale) def. Cameron Bunting by fall
285 – David Stacey (Branson) def. Brett Davis 7-0
