by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs Indians wrestling team were back in action this past weekend as they traveled to Mussleman High School for the tough Musselman Duals. Over the course of two days, teams would battle it out in four pools of six teams. At the end of the pool action on Saturday morning, December 17, the four pool champions would meet in a quad match format to determine the team champion.
On Friday afternoon, December 16, the Indians kicked things off taking on Eastern View High School out of Culpeper, Va. Berkeley Springs would take a 68- 12 win over the Cyclones. In their second match the Indians faced Eastern Panhandle rival Washington. The Indians and the Patriots battle back and forth trying to secure a comfortable lead. However, the match was still in doubt until the 215 lb. weight class. Berkeley Springs elected to take a double forfeit at that class and bumped junior Brady Wilt up to wrestle the Washington heavyweight. Wilt delivered the team win for the Indians when pinned the Patriot wrestler in 1:29 to give the Tribe a 42-32 win.
In match three the Indians faced PVC foe Moorefield and took down the Yellow Jackets 68-12. In the final match of the evening the Indians faced a team made up of back up wrestlers from other schools nicknamed the Outlaws. Once again the Tribe secured a win by the score of 72-6. The win gave Berkeley Springs a 4-0 record moving into Saturday morning’s final pool round and a chance to secure the pool team win.
On Saturday morning the Indians faced off with Smithsburg (Md.). The Tribe was able to keep their streak going and wrapped up a hard fought 63-15 win to secure the top team honors for their pool. That pool win may have not been a good thing for the young Indians wrestlers as they would be placed with Class AAA #2 Spring Mills (WV), #1 Class A/AA South Carroll (Md.), and ranked Class AAA Linganore (Md.) to determine the Musselman Duals Team Champion.
Berkeley Springs would face Maryland powerhouse South Carroll in the opening match. The Tribe was no match for a Cavalier squad that featured three two time state champions along with many other top ranked grapplers. South Carroll took down Berkeley Springs 61- 18 as Daniel Clark (113), Isaac Harris (150), Kollin Sullivan (165) and Brady Wilt (215) recorded wins.
Match two of the championship pool saw the Indians face off with the Spring Mills Cardinals. Once again Berkeley Springs could not match up with another powerhouse team as they fell 59-24. Getting wins for the Indians were Aiden Cain (144), Kollin Sullivan (165), Krystian Norris (175) and Brady Wilt (215).
In the final match of the day the Indians faced the Linganore Lancers. Lingaore was able to secure a 50-23 win over the Tribe to wrap up third place. Getting wins for the Indians were Jacob Morgan (120), Aiden Cain (138), Isaac Harris (150), Evan Zombro (157) and Brady Wilt (215).
Over the course of two days the Indians wrestled in eight dual matches going 5-3 and finishing in fourth place in the 24 team event.
Berkeley Springs had two wrestlers go undefeated as Brady Wilt (8-0) and Isaac Harris (7-0) led the charge. Going 6-2 for the Indians were Daniel Clark, Jacob Morgan, Evan Zombro (157), and Kollin Sullivan. Finish- ing 5-3 were Adyn Laird (126) and Aiden Cain (138/144). Finishing 4-4 were Eligah Parsells (106) and Krystian Norris (175). Tristan Combs (285) finished 3-3 and Trent Fox (132/138) finished 3-1.
Sophomore Evan Zombro (157) was named to the 14 weight class all tournament team.
Next up for the Indians is their very own tournament. The 38th Max Horz Holiday Invitational will be held on Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23 at Berkeley Springs High School. The event will feature 25 teams and will be an individual bracketed tournament. Wrestling starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. on Friday.
