The Incline Wrestlers kicked off their 2009 season with a close win over host Hug High School last Tuesday 48-42. It was a long awaited return to the mat as this year's squad readies to defend its 2A State Championship of a season ago. The wrestlers have been working hard in the practice room preparing to build a competitive line up and develop into successful wrestlers. So far, they have shown the dedication and work ethic necessary to do just that.
Incline was forced to forfeit 4 of the first 7 weight classes, but was able to patch victories in between with solid wins by returning State Champion Cody Feliciano at 112 pounds, 2 time state medalist Jesus Hernandez at 125 pounds, defending State Champion Travis Causey at 135 pounds and state medalist Jimmy Markman at 145 pounds.
While the nucleus of the team held their own, it was the lower half of the line up that provided the key to the dual win. Miguel Portillo outlasted his opponent at 152 pounds, and newcomers Ben Reber and Tommy Annese, at 160 and 171 pounds respectively, each secured pins to solidify the win.
It is going to take contributions just like this to get wins for this team. We are going to need our returning veterans to provide the foundation, while our newcomers and incoming freshman will need to post victories in any way they can.
