The Jackrabbits wrestled Millikan on Thursday night, January 9 as their first home match of the season. Poly was blown out, 45-23.
Poly did not have a 106- pound wrestler, which put Millikan already ahead by six points. Despite their lead, the Jackrabbits looked to come out strong with back to back wins from juniors Enrique Luna and Chris Lavery: a pin from Luna and a win by points from Lavery.
“I felt pretty pumped after my pin,” said Luna. “And then after Lavery’s win, I kind of thought we had a chance to beat Millikan.”
From there, however, Millikan was able to pin in the 126-, 132- and 138- pound categories. The three in a row pins gave the Rams 18 points. Senior Clancy Baker, one of Poly’s returning starters, broke the pin streak by winning in the 145- pound category, 7-4.
After Baker’s win, the Rams were able to pin two more Jackrabbits and put 12 more points to their score. Senior Sazar Barnes, another returning starter, broke that pin streak with an 8-5 win. Poly then suffered their first and only loss by points in the 182 pound category. Junior Malik Livingston and senior Dominic Price won their matches, 6-5 and 11-5, respectively. The night was ended with a Millikan pin to seal a Poly loss, 23-45.
“I wanted to beat Millikan,” said Barnes. “But there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’ and I can’t wrestle 14 guys. I’ll just have to wait for individual finals.”
Overall, Poly won six out of 14 matches. All five returning starters won their matches. All of the eight matches the Jackrabbits lost were by first year Varsity wrestlers, seven of those losses were pins which gave Millikan 40 points.
“Millikan came out like they wanted to wrestle,” said coach Mike Hughes. “Now, we have to practice hard for second place in Moore League.”
Poly then faced Wilson last Thursday January 16th and lost (39-38). The specifics of this match could not be reported due to time restraints. Their next match will be on January 23 at Lakewood.
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