Purple Eagle matmen down rival Mustangs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2018 at 8:16 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Hunter Albright works toward a pin over Medina’s Joe Gates during the Purple Eagles home mat victory over the rival Mustangs this evening.

A quick early burst of three straight pins ignited Albion to a 42-39 victory over visiting rival Medina this evening in a Niagara-Orleans League wrestling match.

Medina did grab a 6-0 lead at the outset on a pin by Da’Ron Bellan (132) in 1:03.

Medina’s Rashawn Bloom in route to scoring a win by pin over Scott McMurray.

However, Albion answered right back with three straight pins by Preston Flugel (138) in 1:52, Hunter Albright (145) in 3:18 and Ugene Harrison (152) in :52 to take the lead for good at 18-6.

The Purple Eagles advantage ballooned to 33-6 at the halfway point after a forfeit win at 160, a one point decision win by Jessy Cruz at 170 and a pin of 2:17 by Ben Restivo at 182.

Albion’s Cody Wilson (220) and Medina’s Elijah Sones (195) then traded decision wins to keep Albion up by 27 at 36-9.

Medina though did come battling back down the stretch taking the final five bouts decided on the mat by pin. Those falls were registered by Robert Morehouse (285) in 2:43, Rashawn Bloom (99) in :58, Travis Wiseman (106) in :28, Colby Petrie (120) in :23 and Jake Bensley (126) in 2:40.

However, the Mustangs could get no closer than the final three point margin as a forfeit loss at 113 ended up proving to be the difference.

Both teams are now 2-2 in N-O competition.

Albion’s Preston Flugel works for a pin over Medina’s Alden Cayea.

Medina’s Robert Morehouse earns a pin win over Albion’s Ryan Grandy.