Albion grapplers top rival Medina

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Tyler Nashburn works toward a decision win over Medina’s Cody Crane during the visiting Purple Eagles league opening victory over the Mustangs this evening.

Taking five of the six bouts that were decided on the mat, Albion downed visiting rival Medina 48-34 this evening to open the Niagara-Orleans League’s 50th anniversary wrestling season.

Pins by Preston Flugel (106), Jordan Wolcott (126) and Israel Florentino (170) highlighted the Purple Eagles victory in the match which saw a total of nine forfeits.

Medina though did grab a 10-0 lead at the outset on an 11-3 major decision win by Ryan Kruger (220) over Merlin Moyer and a forfeit win.

Albion answered back by taking three of the next four bouts on Flugel’s pin in 4:33 over Bobby Geiger, a forfeit and Wolcott’s pin in 3:18 over Austin Cox for an 18-16 lead.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Preston Flugel in route to earning a pin victory over Medina’s Bobby Geiger.

The teams then traded a pair of forfeit wins keeping the Purple Eagles up by two at 30-28.

Albion finally broke the match open by taking the next three bouts via two decision wins and a pin to lock up the victory.

Aaron Burnside (152) opened that key stretch with an 11-5 win over Nick Doberstein.
Tyler Nashburn (160) followed up with a narrow 3-2 win over Cody Crane and Israel Florentino (170) tacked on a pin in 4:45 over Jacob Covert giving the Purple Eagles a commanding 42-28 advantage with just two bouts to go.

N-O opening week action will continue at 6 p.m. Thursday as defending champion Newfane hosts Wilson and Barker/Roy-Hart visits Akron.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Ryan Kruger works toward a decision win over Albion’s Merlin Moyer.