Streaks Go 3-2 At Findlay Duals
by Scott Schultz Buckeye Sports Reporter

Chad Rufenacht attempts to pin his opponent at the Findlay Duals, Saturday, Dec. 8. Rufenacht was 4-1 on the day.- photo by Scott Schultz

The Archbold wrestling team, under Brian Becher, head coach, kicked off the season at the sixth annual Findlay Duals, Saturday, Dec. 8.

The event attracts teams from all corners of the state and from all three divisions.

The Streaks won the inaugural event in 2002 and finished fifth last year. This year Archbold finished with a 3-2 record. For the first time the host Trojans won, followed by Napoleon and Olmstead Falls.

Archbold lost 38-37 in the opening round to Otsego, a Division II squad that featured five district qualifiers and two state qualifiers. The two were dead even at 37 after the 14 weight classes and had to use tie-breaking criteria to determine the winner.

Archbold bounced back to drop Spencerville 54-22, then squared off with Napoleon, who had little trouble disposing of the Streaks and posted a 47-18 victory.

Fairview Park Fairview was next. Again, after all weight classes had wrestled, officials had to consult the rulebook for tie-breaking criteria. Tied at 31, the Streaks won the tiebreaker and were awarded one point for a 32-31 victory.

AHS wrestled with three weight classes void and faced Wapakoneta in the last match of the day. The Redmen won the dual meet in 2003 but finished last in 2006.

The Blue and Gold picked up the third win of the day, squeaking by with a 38-35 win.

"We don't have everyone in the lineup yet, and I don't know if guys are in their right weight class yet," said Becher. "Obviously, it is going to be a little bit longer year than most years.

"A lot of guys are attacking, but what is frustrating for me right now is guys that aren't being offensive. They don't even give themselves a chance to win. Against good guys you cannot be a defensive wrestler.

"Our defense isn't that good anyways, so we might as well try some offense and see how that goes. Without trying they will not get better."

Individually

A host of Streaks finished with 4-1 records: Matt Jacoby, 103 pounds; Ian Redd, 130 and 135 lbs.; Chad Rufenacht, 152 lbs; Tyler Short, 160 and 171 lbs.

Rufenacht's lone loss was to Fairview's Corey Carlo, who placed sixth at the state meet last year.

Posting 3-2 records: TJ Weirauch, a freshman who broke into the lineup at 112 and 119 lbs.; Trevor Meyer, also pulling double duty at 140 and 145 lbs.; Cameron Yontz, 189 and 215 lbs.; Jordan Gracia, 285 lbs.

Going 2-3 were Brandon Wagner at 135 and 140 lbs. and Mickey Britenriker at 189 and 215 lbs. Jared Leininger went 1-4 at 160 and 171 lbs.

"I thought Chad (Rufenacht) wrestled really well today," said Becher. "I noticed he got a little tired at the end and muscled his last kid; that he should have controlled."

Against Carlo, "Chad wrestled him pretty well. The biggest thing to me was that Chad stayed in the match mentally. I really wasn't worried about the score; I was anxious to see how he wrestles tough kids compared to last year," said Becher.

"I thought Ian (Redd) had a pretty good day. I know he was disappointed in the second-tolast match with the kid from Fairview. I think he (Redd) was being a little too defensive and not getting after people.

"Cameron (Yontz) has improved. He has some things he has to work on, but at least he is getting after people. He creates some scoring opportunities.

"TJ (Weirauch) has not had to cut any weight at all, and at 112 pounds he is going to wrestle some older kids at that weight.

"The biggest thing I like about him- just like his brother (Tyler) is, he battles the whole time no matter what the score is and how much time is left. He doesn't really care about that.

"That is one thing I wish more of our guys had, and that they would wrestle from whistle to whistle.

"Matt Jacoby works hard. I think he works harder than what he needs, because at times he puts himself in positions that he shouldn't get into. He has great leg attacks; he is not finishing quick enough, causing him to work harder than he needs to.

"I expect him to do a lot more this year than what he has done for us. He is a senior, and having wrestled for us for so long I expect some things out of him at the end of the season."