Lion grapplers topple Madill

While Madill controlled the lower weight classes in last week’s wrestling dual action at Durant, it was the host Lions’ dominance through the higher weights that proved decisive in a 54-27 victory.

Durant claimed every weight from 157 pounds up to heavyweight, including crucial fall verdicts at 157, 165 and 175 pounds.

Action began at 150 pounds where Madill’s Christian Robledo downed the Lions’ Racer Waitman in a second period fall decision to claim the early lead before the hosts reeled off 30 consecutive team points.

Britton Trotter began the DHS rally at 157 with a third period fall triumph against Jaden McCain and Brodi Payne followed in pinning Tyner Roberts in the second period at 2:28 in the 165-pound division. Asa Pierce was also a first period fall winner at 175, dispatching Aaron Rodriguez in just 64 seconds.

Caiden Pepperman was credited with a forfeit at 190 and Axel Thurman likewise at 215 pounds. That made it a 30-6 Durant cushion.

Madill ended the run at heavyweight with Noa Seals scoring an early takedown and eventually a rapid first period fall triumph.

Canan Walls was a forfeit winner at 106 pounds to give Durant its only points in a five-match run that helped Madill narrow the gap to 36-27.

Klayton Smith for the Lions held a narrow 5-4 lead going into the third period at 113 pounds before the Wildcats’ Triston Barnes rallied with an escape takedown with just 56 seconds remaining for a 7-5 decision win.

Madill followed with a pair of fall wins at 120 pounds with Braxton Gimenez downing Shawn Humphrey in 2:42 and

Durant Lion Britton Trotter pins Madill Wildcat Jaden McCain in last week’s dual at Durant.

Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat Colton Sandefur notching a fall against the Lions’ Justin Smith at 126.

With the duel outcome in the balance Durant wrapped up the victory with Matt Frazer scoring a 1:07 first period fall decision over Jackson Harper at 132. Aiden Polk followed with another first period fall triumph at 138 pounds against Aroddy Camacho. Bo St. Clair picked up a forfeit at 144 pounds for the final points of the night.

The Lions were in tournament action over the weekend in Duncan facing a bevy of tough early season competition heading into the Christmas break.

Pierce had the most success at 175 pounds with four victories in six matches but fell just short of placing.

He opened with a 13-5 major decision against Plainview’s Rye Blackwood before dropping a fall decision to slip into the consolation bracket. Pierce reeled off three straight fall wins ahead of a loss to end the run.

Payne notched a solid run at 165 pounds with a 3-2 record, bouncing back from an early loss with three straight wins that included a 3:53 fall against Ethan Martinez of Dickson.

Waitman, St. Clair and Frazer all picked up two wins in four contests.

At 150 pounds Waitman posted two fall victories in consolation bracket competition while St. Clair also had two consolation triumphs at 144 pounds, including a 1:45 fall over Plainview’s Jimmy Watkins. Frazer meanwhile began with pin fall wins against Javier Rodriguez of Hinton and Ryan Trozzi from Newcastle but suffered two straight losses.

Walls scored a single fall triumph over Jakoby Woerne of Western Heights at 106 pounds, Smith had one win on a fall victory against Lawton’s Adrian Villareal at 113 and Pepperman’s one win at 190 pounds came via fall over Perry Graves from Lawton as well. Polk defeated Plainview’s Ryan Crawford in an 11-6 at decision at 138.