GODDARD—
In the first competition since winter break – and the last before Maize hosts a wrestling tournament this weekend – the Eagles succumbed to rival Goddard on Thursday.Maize, hobbled by three open weight classes, fell to its west-side rival 45-24. However, coach Mike Schauer took the loss in stride since the team is young and has too many open classes, he said.
“We don’t put a lot of emphasis on dual wins right now,” he added.
The important thing, said the coach, was that he saw improvement in his athletes. For instance, he thought the Eagles were better on their feet Thursday.
“We’re getting better, and that’s what we’ve been trying to do,” Schauer continued.
Maize led 12-0 before Goddard secured its first win, which occurred in the 120-pound class. The Lions’ Dakota Leach decisioned Jacob Wilgers 6-3.
However, the visiting Eagles put together three consecutive victories, including a 3-1 overtime win for Alex Hydock, a 138-pounder who took on Chance Moses. The contest was tied 1-1 at the end of the third period. Hydock’s success lifted Maize’s lead to 24-3.
That’s when the home team took control and won the rest of the matches. Another close showdown occurred in the 170-pound category, where Goddard’s Sean Marou battled Maize’s Casey Nance. A 2-2 tie sent the faceoff to overtime, where Marou eked out a 4-2 victory. As a result, Goddard’s deficit was reduced to three, 24-21.
The final match, featuring the Lions’ John Vap and Maize’s Addison Klein at 182 pounds, ended when Vap pinned Klein in the second period. His victory gave Goddard the lead, 27-24.
The last three weight classes were open for Maize, so the host took the dual 45-24. Schauer said the Eagles had struggled to fill the highest weight divisions all season.
“We have a big number of good wrestlers,” said Schauer. “They’re just all trying to fill five weight classes.”
Next up for Maize will be its annual tournament this weekend. Ten teams will compete in the pool tournament Saturday, Jan. 5.
Schauer said his wrestlers always looked forward to their tournament, but they would be tired by the end because most athletes would compete in five matches during the day.
“With six weeks to go to regionals,” he remarked, “we’re trying to get as many matches as we can.”
