Spring Creek crushes East Duplin

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 21, 2006 1:47 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Four starters mixed in among nine, fresh new faces hasn't slowed down Spring Creek's wrestling team this season.

The Gators, in fact, are off to a record-setting start. They improved to a program-best 5-1 overall with a 66-18, non-conference triumph over East Duplin on Wednesday evening.

"You're always happy to get that 'W'," said Spring Creek coach Dwight Glenn.

But Glenn, admittedly, had mixed emotions about the lopsided, 48-minute affair. Loaded with first-year starters, Glenn lamented his team has much work to do less than one month into the season.

Spring Creek emerged victorious in six of eight contested matches, but recorded the initial takedown just twice. Three Gators fought off their backs and earned come-from-behind victories, which stirred a combination of reactions from Glenn.

"A majority of our guys are not fast shooters," said Glenn. "The starters are, but the young guys are a little hesitant. That hesitation will get your legs taken out from underneath you.

"We work on a 2-on-1 on the wrist to slow down the shooter and equalize things. But we still need a lot of work there."

The Gators' first comeback occurred at heavyweight.

Returning starter Dwight Strickland yielded a first-period takedown to the Panthers' Cory Marchburn. Strickland gained a penalty point midway through the period and took Marchburn down to start the second period.

Marchburn denied Strickland nearfall points for nearly a minute and forced a third period. Marchburn elected to take the down position and Strickland continued to work until he recorded a fall with just 3.2 seconds left on the clock.

The second rally occurred at 119.

Matt Richter escaped from Anthony Williams' first takedown, but couldn't escape the quick-shooting Panther. Williams got a double-leg takedown and turned Richter on his back twice long enough for five takedown points.

Williams couldn't close the deal. Richter chose the neutral position to start the second period, took Williams down and pinned him half a minute later.

The third, and final, recovery occurred at 125.

Trey Mills and the Panthers' Leon Kenon traded escapes, reversals, takedowns and even a penalty point during a four-minute stretch. Kenon led 7-6 heading into the final period until Mills posted a takedown and fall 18 seconds later.

"We want to be able to control a match," said Glenn. "Even if we give up those first two, we want to be able to counter and get it back. That's important to us and it worked tonight, thankfully."

East Duplin, of the Class 2-A East Central ranks, picked up two victories after Kenon's heartbreaking loss. Eddie Trejo pinned the Gators' 130-pounder Brent Kelly in 1:18 and teammate Blake Lane drew a forfeit at 135.

"Kelly threw his man, but didn't follow through and execute the move," said Glenn. "He got rolled and got pinned, and that shouldn't happen. But, we're going to go back and work on that some more with him."

Spring Creek closed the match with three consecutive wins. Jackson Sebastian (140) and Ryan Kelly (152) each notched a fall, while Paul Richter (145) grabbed a forfeit. Teammate Daquan Wright started the night with a second-period fall at 160 pounds.

East Duplin, which gave up five forfeits, got a win from returning state qualifier Josh Scallon at 215 pounds.

"It was a good rebound for us considering we should have won Monday at Greene Central," said Glenn of a one-point, road loss to the Rams. "I was pleased with tonight and saw some things we need to work on. Our four returners are right on track.

"Our first-year guys are coming along, but slower than I anticipated."

Spring Creek 66

East Duplin 18

160 -- Daquan Wright (SC) wbf Craig Audet, 3 minutes, 14 seconds; 171 -- Ross Montafia (SC) by forfeit; 189 -- John Bruno (SC) by forfeit; 215 -- Josh Scallon (ED) wbf Josh Rodriguez, 3:12; Hwt -- Dwight Strickland (SC) wbf Cory Marchburn, 5:56; 103 -- Daniel Richter (SC) by forfeit; 112 -- Neal O'Hara (SC) by forfeit; 119 -- Matt Richter (SC) wbf Anthony Williams, 2:34; 125 -- Trey Mills (SC) wbf Leon Kenon, 4:18; 130 -- Edder Trejo (ED) wbf Brent Kelly, 1:18; 135 -- Blake Lane (ED) by forfeit; 140 -- Jackson Sebastian (SC) wbf Daniel Corta, 1:12; 145 -- Paul Richter (SC) by forfeit; 152 -- Ryan Kelly (SC) wbf Seth Hogan, 0:59.

Records: Spring Creek 5-1, East Duplin 0-3.

Next match: Spring Creek at South Lenoir, Jan. 5.