WARSAW - The Warsaw Tigers wrestling squad opened a non-conference dual meet trailing 15-0 after the first three matches when two pins by upper-weight sophomore wrestlers Isaac Beam (220 pounds), and Gideon Castro (285) triggered momentum among the ensuing lighter weight matches to top the South Bend Riley Wildcats 41-21

“Isaac and Gideon, we’ve really seen them climb and make significant progress this year,” Warsaw head coach Kris Hueber said. “Those guys getting back into action and picking up those points was huge.”

The catalytic sophomores weren’t the only highlight of last night’s action. A Senior Night celebration for the Tigers’ lone senior wrestler this season, Andrew Ross (152), displayed increased scoring versatility on the mat in the penultimate match, a 7-1 decision over the Wildcats’ Ryan Burns.

“I like that he got a little offense going,” Hueber said about the future Wabash University wrestler. “I’ve been trying to get him to score from the neutral position. We know that he’s a hammer from the top.”

Ross has only lost one match this season. Hueber, however, who stresses the importance of the season’s process, saw something special last night in junior Bryson Brown, whose match record is around the .500 mark.

Brown’s last-second victory, a 4-3 win in the evening’s final match, brought the crowd to its feet when he used his arm strength to escape with four seconds remaining. Brown confidently chose the bottom position when the match, tied 3-3, restarted with only 11 seconds left.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Andrew and Bryson (Brown - 160). These kids got a little gas in the tank, and that was apparent in Bryson’s match. For him to continue to weather the storm of a tough weight class (in area wrestling)… he’s starting to take on more of a leadership role. I’m really excited about the progress he’s making. (He) crack(ed) into the win column and, things really start falling into place. In the beginning of the season, he was taking people deep into the third, and he just couldn’t figure out how to close the deal.”

The match started with the 170-pound weight class where Riley picked up wins on by Isaiah Rivas (fall 1:39), Miles Williams (decision 7-2 at 182), and Jermai Scales (fall 2:46 at 195) before Beam and Castro helped reverse Warsaw’s fortunes.

Warsaw forfeited at 106, then picked up a forfeit win by Elias Garza (120). Neither team presented a 113-pound wrestler. The Tigers were ahead for good 18-15 when they picked up additional wins by Isaiah Martinez (fall 1:59 at 126), Aaron Ross (17-0 technical fall), and Danny Moon (forfeit at 138).

The string of wins clinched the match for Warsaw, ahead 38-15 with three remaining matches.

Riley’s Jamiel Lowe (fall 1:17 at 145) captured the Wildcats’ only additional win following the Tiger lightweights’ run.

“Our lightweights have continued to show some progress too,” Hueber noted. Isaiah (Martinez) is starting to turn it on. And Aaron (Ross) ever since he’s moved down to 132, he’s showing a little different motor.”

We’re finally starting to see the fruits of their labor. Our kids are starting to have something tangible that goes with what we’re preaching. That feeds them and we start to get better practices form them.”

The Tigers will return to action next week traveling to Mishawaka for the prestigious Al Smith Invitational tournament Wednesday and Thursday, Dec 29-30. His team’s approach sounds like hubris out of context, but Hueber views this confidence is a welcome step in the season’s process.

“Some of these kids, the deepest tournament they’ve experienced was wrestling in Northridge last week,” Hueber said. “So, it is a step up… We have some guys with lofty expectations like. ‘I wanna place at the Al Smith,’ but now we are pressing them to show me how they’ll prepare for this accomplishment in practice. I’ve had state qualifiers and placers who’ve never placed at the Al Smith.”

Only two Tiger grapplers, Kyle Hatch; Brock Hueber, have medaled at the Al Smith.