Hoover High Wrestlers Defeat McKinley 51-21

The varsity wrestling team took advantage of five McKinley forfeits to dominate the Bulldogs 51-21 at the Hoover High School gymnasium Thursday night, raising their Federal League record to 4-2. 

McKinley did not field wrestlers in the 112, 125, 130, 145 and 152 weight classes. Hoover forfeited a weight class of their own — the heavyweight division. In the eight matches that did take place, both teams earned four victories each.

Seniors Ryan Teis and Nick Richards, along with junior Sam Wakser, all pinned their opponents in convincing fashion. For Teis, the match was another step toward his ultimate goal to be in the hunt for a state championship at the end of the season.

"I just need to keep working hard," Teis said. "I was an alternate for state last season and I plan to not only get to Columbus this year but advance as far as I can."

Teis and teammate Wakser are tied in a chase for a longstanding Hoover season record for pins.

"Both of us have 24 pins after tonight and the record is 25," Teis said.

The other winning wrestler for Hoover was Spencer Keeler, who dominated his opponent Dion Hampton 7-1. The two most exciting matches of the evening occurred in the 171 and 189 weight classes.

In the 171-pound match, McKinley's James Smith and Hoover's Seth Torrence were tied 6-6 with one minute left in the match. Smith gained a near fall as the match ended to defeat Torrence 9-6.

Hoover's Tyler Stoltz was leading 10-9 in the 189-pound match at the end of the second period over McKinley's Jesse McKinney, but lost a heart-breaker to McKinney 12-11. Stoltz was on the verge of a takedown as time expired.

Other participants on the night for Hoover and their results: Nathan Burns (103) pinned; Andy Fausnight (112) won by forfeit; Brandon Bailey (125) won by forfeit; Cam Haverfield (130) won by forfeit; Dylan Sanderson (135) lost 11-4; Nick Duff (145) won by forfeit; Michael Belus (152) won by forfeit.

For first-year Head Coach John Grasinger, a 1979 Hoover graduate, he is optimistic about his program's future.

"We have good kids, good facilities and a good wrestling tradition," Grasinger said. "We just hope to finish strong to end the season."

"Our seniors have been very good and we have strong backups behind them to build on for next year," Grasinger added.

Hoover concludes their regular season at home against Jackson on Feb. 10, which is senior night. Post-season sectionals start the following weekend.

In case you didn't know:

• High school wresting utilizes three two-minute periods.

• Team points are gained according to the following scale: pin or forfeit = six points; victory by a margin of at least 15 = five points; victory margin of eight to 14 points = four points; victory margin up to seven points = three points.