By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
PAW PAW – After a slow start, the Dowagiac varsity wrestling team rolled to a pair of impressive Wolverine Conference victories Wednesday night at Paw Paw High School.
The Chieftains (11-5 overall and 3-2 Wolverine) trailed Gull Lake 15-0 in the opening round match before rallying for 44-24 victory. Dowagiac then breezed by Comstock in the final match of the night, 62-12.
"I thought we were a little flat in the first match," Dowagiac coach John Green said. "We really picked it up for the second match. I am really happy with the way we bounced back. It was a nice team effort."
After trailing 15-0 against the Blue Devils, Zach Roden started Dowagiac on a roll with a pin of Cody Justa in 1:10 at 130-pounds.
The Chieftains won the next four matches to take a 19-15 lead on the Blue Devils.
Richie Hutchinson and Terry Prowoznik both won by pin, while Nate Long and Michael McNeil won by decisions.
From there the Chieftains won four out of the final six bouts to pull away to the victory.
Winning by pin for the Chieftains over that stretch were Nate Behnke (189) and Andrew Roden (103). It was Roden's first match in nearly a month due to injury.
"It was nice to have Andrew back in the line-up," Green commented.
Winning by decision for the Chieftains were Drew Staley (215) and Robert Wescott (285).
Comstock was no match for the Chieftains.
Dowagiac lost just two bouts against the Colts. The Chieftains picked up six pins and a forfeit in the match.
Winning by pins were Nathan Cottrell (112), Bobby Price (119), Long (140), Prowoznik (160), Behnke and Wescott. Hutchinson won by forfeit at 135-pounds.
Dowagiac completely dominated the statistics Wednesday night.
With the exception of escapes, the Chieftains led every category against the Blue Devils and Colts.
Dowagiac held a 35-14 advantage in takedowns, an 11-1 advantage in 3-point near-falls, a 5-3 advantage in 2-point near-falls and a 20-12 advantage in reversals. The Chieftains were 21-4 in first takedowns scored.
"That was impressive," Green said. "We had a big night."
The Chieftains are back in action on Saturday as they head to Kalamazoo for the Loy Norrix Invitational. Dowagiac will send its "B" team to Brandywine for its invitational.
Dowagiac…44
Gull Lake…24
103: Andrew Roden (D) p. Thomas Knapp, 1:20
112: Jeremiah West (GL) d. Nathan Cottrell, 4-2
119: Trevor Lambard (GL) p. Bobby Price, 2:53
125: Walley Shaver (GL) p. Justin Richter, 3:38
130: Zach Roden (D) p. Cody Justa, 1:10
135: Richie Hutchinson (D) p. Adam Coonrod, 1:56
140: Nate Long (D) d. Andy Thickling, 9-1
145: Michael McNeil (D) d. Dylan Rapp, 5-4
152: Terry Prowoznik (D) p. Andrew Kasten, 3:11
160: Pete Wyman (GL) p. DeShaun Baylock, 5:35
171: Hunter Feraco (GL) d. Andrew Hurrle, 7-4
189: Nate Behnke (D) p. Andrew Ryan, 5:35
215: Drew Staley (D) d. Donovon Small, 13-2
285: Robert Wescott, (D) d. Mike Boe. 1-0
Dowagiac…62
Comstock…12
103: Andrew Roden (D) d. Brandon Nunn, 22-9
112: Nathan Cottrell (D) p. Pedro Ruelas, :49
119: Bobby Price (D) p. Andrew Sigers, 1:05
125: Steve Klinger (C) p. Justin Richter, 3:45
130: Zach Roden (D) d. Casey MacKenzie, 8-2
135: Richie Hutchinson (D) wins by forfeit
140: Nate Long (D) p. Nick Wheeler, 2:55
145: Michael McNeil (D) d. Terry Vanavery, 2:57
152: DeShaun Baylock (D) d. Kyle Loucks, 13-7
160: Terry Prowoznik (D)p. Logan Hickmott, 2:22
171: Matt Ritchie (C) p. Andrew Hurrle, 3:18
189: Nate Behnke (D) p. Scott Devries, 1:17
215: Drew Staley (D) d. Adam Bradshaw, 17-8
285: Robert Wescott, (D) p. Dustin Brown, :58