McHenry, MD – Sparked by Camden Hull's dramatic comeback at 133 pounds, Garrett College's wrestling team had NCAA Division II Frostburg State University on "upset alert" Thursday night. The Lakers, benefiting from a pair of FSU forfeits, had an 18-16 lead with just four matches remaining.
The Bobcats – who just took third place in the Mountain East Conference championships - quickly restored order. FSU swept the final four matches behind pins from Charles Turney (174 pounds) and Alex Hoy (197 pounds) to improve to 9-3 in dual meets.
FSU's Andrew Wolfanger sandwiched a 17-1 technical fall against Braeden Poorbaugh at 184 between those pins. Bobcat Cole Yonkin finished the match with a 10-0 major decision over Jacob Beeman at 285.
"I like the effort we showed tonight," GC head coach David Wingate said after FSU's 37-18 victory. "The most important thing right now is getting ready for the district."
The Gulf Atlantic District championship will take place Saturday, February 22nd at Lackawanna (PA) College with a dozen teams from Regions 10, 19, and 20 scheduled to compete. GC finished second last year and will be seeking its second team title in the last four seasons.
FSU spotted the Lakers a quick 6-0 lead Thursday night with a forfeit at 125. The Bobcats' deficit grew to 12-0 when Hull – who trailed at one time 11-0 – recorded a second-period pin against Owen Lehman.
"I just kept my composure and tried to stay strong," Hull said of his comeback victory. "I made an adjustment after the first period and it worked."
Sirr Bannister (141) notched an 18-1 major decision against GC's James Bounds and FSU picked up a forfeit at 149 to pull within 12-11. Alex Blake (157) then earned a 16-0 major decision against Everett Nichols to give FSU a 16-12 lead.
Garrett went back in front, 18-16, when the Lakers received a forfeit at 165.
Turney pinned Tyberious Clayton with 45 seconds remaining in the second period to put Frostburg ahead to stay. Wolfanger's major decision against Poorbaugh stretched the Bobcats' lead to 27-18.
Hoy's 197-pound pin of Drayk Bunn clinched the match for Frostburg.
Despite the loss, Garrett finished its dual-meet season with a 10-5 record, including 7-1 against two-year opposition.
"Last year we won two dual meets," noted Wingate, who is in his second year as head coach. "This year, we've turned it up a notch. We've got a good group of guys."
"I think we're peaking at the right time with districts coming up," said Hull.
Notes: The Lakers hosted a "Sophomore Night" recognition right before the FSU match, honoring GC's six sophomore wrestlers.
James Bounds started as a 125-pound wrestler as a freshman and has bumped up to several different weight classes depending upon the team's needs as a sophomore. Bounds, who is graduating with a degree in sports management, won nine matches in his Laker career.
Brandon Kinney, winless as a freshman, has notched six victories this season. A dean's-list student, Kinney is a sport management major who hopes to wrestle at the four-year level.
Cole Stuchal, a two-year starter, already has 30 wins at GC. He placed third in the district last year as he qualified for nationals, where he went 1-2. Stuchal also plans to wrestle at the four-year level.
Tyberious Clayton, another two-year starter, was a district runner-up and NJCAA national qualifier last year who has 16 career wins. Clayton will leave GC with dual degrees in sports management and business.
Drayk Bunn has 40 career wins and is the Lakers' sixth-ever Gulf Atlantic District champion. He plans to continue his wrestling career at a four-year institution.
Jacob Beeman has 33 career wins and was an NJCAA Scholar All-American last year. He is planning to transfer to Frostburg State to pursue a bachelor's degree in computer science.
PHOTO CUTLINE
Photo by John Rudd
Garrett College honored its six sophomore wrestlers Thursday night on "Sophomore Night". Pictured, left to right, are GC assistant coach Joe Embleton, James Bounds, Brandon Kinney, Cole Stuchal, Tyberious Clayton, Drayk Bunn, Jacob Beeman, and GC head coach David Wingate.
