SOUTH WHITLEY - The only setback during the Whitko wrestling team's senior night was only one senior competed on the mat Thursday in South Whitley.
Because of injuries, and other reasons, Rochester had three wrestlers unable to compete, leading to a lop-sided 62-15 Three Rivers Conference loss to the host Wildcats."They had three guys who were out," Whitko coach Matt Koontz said of Rochester. "Their 112, Garth Simpson, who's a state qualifier last year, he didn't wrestle. Their 130 and 140-pounders were also hurt. So, they had three guys that we were hoping to match up with to kind of give everyone a good show. We'll take the win though."
Of Whitko's four senior wrestlers, only Daniel Rothgeb hit the mat, picking up a technical fall over Seth Manns at 135 pounds, 24-8.
The other two seniors at the match, Dylan LeTourneau (130) and Drake Brainard (285), were each awarded six points via forfeits, while another senior was recognized despite not being at the school.
Whitko senior Jarrod Lewis was involved in a car accident on Oct. 6 and is still in a coma, but his parents, Jack and Crystal Funnell, were on hand for senior night, receiving a standing ovation.
"We still consider him part of the team," Koontz said of Lewis. "It just stinks. There's no better way to put it. It's one of those things that you can't imagine as a parent. And as a teammate, it's a big loss for us. He's still in a coma, and battling, and with his brother on the team, it's a constant reminder."
His brother, sophomore Austin Striggle, was involved in the car accident, but has recovered and picked up a major decision victory over Phil Miller, 13-1.
Getting pins in the Whitko victory were Chas Busz (112), Cody Bays (140), Ian Pherigo (145) and Cord Feasby (160). Whitko's Bobby Mundy picked up five points for his team by getting a technical fall over Jesse Jacobson, 27-12.
The Wildcats now sit at 24-3 on the season as they prepare to defend their Goshen Invitational title Saturday at 9 a.m.
"Goshen has a good team, and the seeds are out," Koontz said. "We're going to have to battle. We're definitely the underdog compared to Goshen, with the way it's seeded. We're going to have to wrestle past our seeds. Last year, we did that, and hopefully we can do it again."
A week after the Goshen Invitational, Whitko will travel to North Miami High School for the TRC Tournament, looking to wrap up its eighth-straight conference title.
"Our kids expect to win," Koontz said. "We still have to go wrestle and there's not guarantees, but we expect to win. That's a good mental approach to it. We've won it the last seven years and say, 'Hey, come get us.'"
WHITKO 62, ROCHESTER 15
103 - Zach Weese (R) pin. Colten LeTourneau, 4:28; 112 - Chas Busz (W) pin. Lucas Carpenter, 2:56; 119 - Austin LeTourneau (W) won by ff; 125 - Jordan Gilbert (W) won by ff; 130 - Dylan LeTourneau (W) won by ff; 135 - Daniel Rothgeb (W) tech. fall Seth Manns, 24-8; 140 - Cody Bays (W) pin. Ryan Bohr, 1:44; 145 - Ian Pherigo (W) pin. Artie Shidler, 1:27; 152 - Bobby Mundy (W) tech. fall Jesse Jacobson, 27-12; 160 - Cord Feasby (W) pin. Wes Stevens, 0:43; 171 - Austin Striggle (W) maj. dec. Phil Miller, 13-1; 189 - Wes Gensch (W) won by ff; 215 - Cody Gamble (R) dec. Tyler Newsome, 7-1; HWT - Drake Brainard (W) won by ff
