Raiders Beat Poinciana Eagles 66 - 15 in Dual Opener.

    The Orange Park Raiders, in their first dual match of the season wrestled their way to a 66 - 15 win over the Poinciana Eagles of Kississimee.

    The meet started a 285 lbs where undersized freshman Ryan Lutins wrestled his way to a 1st period pin.  "Despite being outweighed by about 25 pounds or so, he wrestled a very physical style," Head Coach Chad Parker said.  "It says a lot about a wrestler to be able to wrestle a physical style when your opponent is significantly bigger than you."

    The Raiders had to forfeit the 103 lbs weight class, and the Eagles forfeited the 112 lbs weight class.  At 119 lbs, Raider Will Shockley wrestled up a weight class and lost by major decision.  "Shockley wrestled up a weight, and made some mistakes he probably would have gotten away with at 112 lbs," Coach Parker said.  "Still, as is our custom, in the third period he was pretty close to turning his opponent.  If he hadn't been in a such a large hole heading into the third period, it's possible he wins that much.  It was a great lesson for him today.  He'll be a better wrestler because of this loss."

    At 125 lbs Pat Laniel was able to turn a possible catastrophe into excellence.  "Laniel was actually on his back at the beginning of the third period," Coach Parker said.  "Through sheer heart and grit, he was able to not only get off his back, but turn his opponent straight to his back and secure the pin."

    Senior Roger Jarvis was able to turn Eagle Benson Bailzme in the second period and score the fall.  "Jarvis has been a big surprise for us," Parker said.  "Getting down to the 130 lbs weight class really helped us plug a hole.  He's a pretty good on top."

    The Raiders received forfeits at 135 lbs, 140 lbs, and 145 lbs.  Wrestling continued at 152 lbs where senior Anthony Owens wrestled up two weight classes and pinned his Eagle opponent in the first period.  "Owens has come a long, long way," Coach Parker said.  "It says a lot about the hard work he put in over the summer to be able to wrestle up two weight classes and completely dominate."

    Also wrestling up a weight class, senior Matt Thompson registered a fall at 160 lbs in the third period.  "Thompson wrestles really well in the third period," Coach Parker said.  "This match was just another version of a Matt Thompson match.  He turns it up in the third, and most wrestlers can't handle it."

    At 171 lbs first year wrestler Karl Ehrman earned a fall in the second period.  "Ehrman picks up on everything,"  Coach Parker said.  "It's a shame he's a senior.  You show him something once and he'll use it in a match; use it correctly, and usually successfully."

    The 189 lbs match ended  in a first period pin for the Eagles as Zachary Handres lost to his opponent.  "Handres has come a long way in a short time," Coach Paker said.  "Another guy, who, I wish I had had him as a freshman.  But that's not the case, so he'll just have to continue learn as best as he can.  He's doing what he's supposed to.  He'll be fine."

    Junior 215lber and third-ranked Mike Miller wrestled his way to a second-period pin.  "Miller has really, really stepped up," Coach Parker said. "He wants to be the best, he practices hard and does all the little things.  He can get sloppy at times, and he's working on that.  He understands how long the season is, and what he needs to do to improve."

103 - Green (POI) FF

112 - Obgerfall (OP) FF

119 - Navedo (POI) dec. Shockley (OP) 11 - 4

125 - Laniel (OP) pin Turner (POI) 4:50

130 - Jarvis (OP) pin Bazilme (POI) 3:45

135 - Montgomery (OP) FF

140 - Li (OP) FF

145 - Duvall (OP) FF

152 - Owens (OP) pin Ruben (POI) :35

160 - Thompson (OP) pin Myers (POI) 5:03

171 - Ehrman (OP) pin Taylor (POI) 2: 45

189 - Pierre (POI) pin Handres (OP) :42

215 - Miller (OP) pin 2:36

285 - Lutins (OP) pin Goodson 1:52

PICTURES SOON!