The Carson High wrestling team passed its first major test of the season, winning in the season opener, 46-25, at Wooster on Wednesday.
Carson was able to pick up the convincing win against a much improved Wooster team.
"I was really happy and impressed with the team overall," Carson coach Dean Schmanski said.
Schmanski said his team can become more fundamentally sound. "It looks like we've got to get some more basics," Schmanski said.
Eric Aguilera was impressive at 112 pounds, pinning his opponent in one minute, 28 seconds. Aguilera's opponent had beaten him in freestyle wrestling over the summer. "Eric looked tough as nails, just crisp," Schmanski said.
Kevin Riggin was also dominant at 119, winning 13-2. Freshman Loren Wooldridge pined his opponent in 1:36 at 145. "Loren looked tough," Schmanski said.
Also winning by pin were Allen Wooldridge at 189 and Mike Moore at heavyweight. Freshman Mark Graham was able to win a close 7-6 decision at 103 as did Anthony Nunez, who won 6-3 at 171. Paul Carter (140) and Chris White (135) also won for Carson.
Kellan Dale lost a close match, 6-4, at 130. "With a little conditioning, I'll have a lot of confidence in him," Schmanski said.
Wooster's two premiere wrestlers, Zach Lazzari at 152 and Chad Espinoza at 215 both won.
Lazzari, a favorite to win the state title, pinned Micah Whitcome in the third period. Espinoza, ranked No. 1 in the nation, beat Nick Shine 14-2.
DAYTON WINS TWO
The Dayton High wrestling team got off to an impressive start by winning both of its matches in a tri-meet on Wednesday, beating Jacobsen 45-33 and Incline 45-30.
Against Jacobsen, defending state runnerup Stephen Novello won by pin at 145 pounds. Also winning by pin for Dayton were David Hoyt (125), John Hurt (140), Scott Redwine (152) and Tim Torres (189).
Dayton's Chris Thompson beat Jacobsen's Dustin Tubergen 8-6 at 103, Jeremy Stanfield of Dayton beat Jacobsen's Edgar Carillo 8-6 at 171 and Brian Irwin also won at 215 for the Dust Devils.
Winning by pin for Jacobsen were Brian Buck (112), Jarvis Washington (135) and Beau Glave (heavyweight). Jacobsen's Steven King beat Dayton's Michael Mendez 7-4 and Dylan Cramer (119) and Dan Miller (130) also won for Jacobsen.
Against Incline, Hurt, Redwine, Stanfield, Torres and Irwin all won by pin. Novello won 6-0 and Thompson, Mendez and Richard Phillips (heavyweight) all won for the Dust Devils.
