Eagles fall to Bluejackets on the mat; Final two games of the season this week

By BRAD BAUGHMAN | For The Democrat

Last Thursday, the Brown County High School wrestling team hosted the Mitchell High School Bluejackets in what proved to be a short, but action packed match.

After just 30 minutes of grappling, Mitchell emerged victorious, 48-24.

Only five matches were contested on Jan. 12, and all five were won with pins. The Eagles forfeited six weight classes, surrendering 36 points while Mitchell forfeited one, giving up six points.

Neither team had a wrestler in the 106-pound or 126-pound weight class, resulting in a double forfeit.

Brown County would claim victory in three of the five matches. Aaron Woodrum, a junior, got the Eagles off to a fast start with a first period pin over his opponent, Cody Howard, in the 182-pound class.

Eagle freshman Jackson Reed took the mat next and made even quicker work of his opponent, Michael Gates, pinning the Bluejacket 195-pound wrestler in just 24 seconds.

In the 132-pound class, the Eagles’ Charlie Webb had his hands full with Mitchell’s Gabe Brazzel. After a back and forth first period, Brazzel gained control and pinned Webb midway through the second period.

The most exciting match of the evening involved the wrestlers in the 138-pound weight class.

Brown County’s PJ McMasters trailed Nate Bowles 6-4 after a furious seesaw first period. The start of the second period was delayed a bit so Bowles could get treatment for a bloody nose.

After a couple more injury delays and some swapping of points, McMasters pinned his Bluejacket opponent at the 1:08 mark of the second period.

Sophomore Liam Cassiday was the last Eagle to wrestle for the Eagles. Cassiday, wrestling in the 170 class, was pinned by Corbin Peters about halfway through the first period.

Brown County Head Coach, Justice Guerrero, was pleased with his team’s performance.

“The match went well. Jackson Reed and Aaron Woodrum did a good job completing their goal which was to pin their opponents,” said Guerrero.

The coach also took notice of McMasters’ gritty performance.

“PJ had a hard-fought bout and came from behind in order to win by a pin,” Guerrero said.

According to Guerrero, Woodrum and Reed have been his leaders this season.

“They have been able to win more than they have lost this season and do a good job leading by example,” said Guerrero.

Both wrestlers turned in strong performances in a tournament at Scottsburg High School over the winter break.

When the Eagles are at full strength, they only have nine wrestlers. While three of those nine have been out due to injury, Guerrero expects one to return this week in time for the last two regular season matches and the IHSAA sectional.

“We are, however, shorthanded. Wrestling is a tough sport, and we are still trying to find the right kids to come into the program,” said Guerrero.

After winning their first dual meet of the season back in mid November, the Eagles have not been able to notch another team win. Guerrero believes that other than giving up points on the scoreboard due to empty weight classes, his team is not impacted by the situation.

“I believe that their psyche is not too affected by the low numbers as the wrestlers we do have, have at least one more teammate in their relative weight class,” he said.

Though the participation numbers are not what Guerrero would like them to be, he does very much enjoy the group he gets to work with every day in practice.

“The room we have is a fun one. We do a buy-in every day before practice in order to buy into ourselves, teammates and the program. It consists of some form of body weight workout. They have really embraced it and all show up early to get it completed to start our practice,” he said.

The Eagles finish their regular season with home dual matches Tuesday, Jan. 17 with Owen Valley High School and Thursday, Jan. 19 with Paoli High School. They will then compete in the IHSAA sectional on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Jennings County High School.