Challenged Highland wrestlers drop close dual match to East Alton Wood River
What was supposed to be a tri-match Wednesday, Jan. 12, ended up being a dual match between the Highland wrestling team and East Alton Wood-River at Highland High School.
Gateway Science Academy of St. Louis missed the match due to COVID-19 protocols that left them without enough wrestlers to compete in the match.
As a result of injuries and illnesses to several wrestlers, the Bulldogs and Oilers competed with limited personnel and East Alton-Wood River ultimately slipped past Highland for a 35-30 dual match win.
“In the matches we wrestled, we just gave up too many pins,” Highland coach Shorty Ohren said. “We only wrestled five matches and won one and that’s not too good.”
The Bulldogs and Oilers wrestled matches at 120 pounds, 132 pounds, 138 pounds, 145 pounds, and 152 pounds. HHS lost the matches at 120, 132, 145, and 152 pounds.
The only winner of the night for Highland was junior Will Jones, who won by pin in 1 minute, 6 seconds against Noah Mason of East Alton-Wood River. Jones’s victory — his second of the season — was the lone bright spot for HHS.
“Will got the takedown and he pinned him and did a real good job,” Ohren said.
Highland’s remaining match wins were forfeits from the Oilers.
Prior to the East Alton Wood River match, HHS competed in the Carbondale Tournament (Friday, Jan. 7, and Saturday, Jan. 8). Gavin Merkle finished 13th at 120 pounds and at, 132 pounds, Tyson Rakers placed fourth. Will Jones took 19th at 138 pounds, Thomas Mitchell placed 17th at 145 pounds, Brandon Mifflin placed 20th at 152 pounds and Cody Trowbridge finished 16th at 160 pounds.
Ben Mitchell fared well in the 160-pound division with a second place finish. August Rottmann placed 20th at 182 pounds, Aiden Conrad took 15th place at 195 pounds and Ashton Zobrist finished sixth at 195 pounds.
Ohren now hopes to get his roster healthy in time for the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Duals on Saturday, Jan. 29.
“I’ve got guys hurt and out with concussions, and (COVID) protocol ... I want to try to get everybody healthy for conference and that’s in a couple of weeks,” Ohren said. “We’re not going to win, it but I want them (the wrestlers) to be able to hang with them (the other teams).”
HHS was slated to wrestle Litchfield and Vandalia in a tri-match Thursday, Jan. 13, at Vandalia. That match has been moved to Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Vandalia due to to COVID-19 protocols within the Litchfield program.
Highland bowling team
The Highland boys and girls bowling teams hosted and defeated Civic Memorial on Monday. Jan. 10, at Polar Junction lanes in Highland. Hunter Hediger claimed high game for the boys with a 268 score and took high series, rolling a score of 698.
For the Lady Bulldogs, Carissa Merkle rolled the high game with a 229 and shot the high series with a 616.
On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Bulldogs kept their win streak rolling as both teams won over MVC rival Triad in a home match at Poplar Junction Lanes in Highland. Logan Oestringer led the Bulldogs boys with a 287 high game and a high series of 730.
In the girls match, Merkle once again shined, shooting a 278 high game and rolling a sturdy 650 high series to pace the Lady Bulldogs on Senior Night for both clubs.
Highland hockey team
A strong first period got the Highland hockey team rolling Monday, Jan. 10.
The Bulldogs skaters erupted for three first period goals and added three goals in the third period to roll to an impressive 6-1 Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association victory over Civic Memorial-Bethalto at East Alton Ice Arena. Jacob Knoll lewd the Bulldogs with two goals and Landon Gunter added three assists.
HHS goalie Mason Haselhorst stopped 12 shots on goal to pick up the win.
Highland moved to 8-8-1 on the season and climbed into third place in the MVCHA west division with the victory.
This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 6:44 PM.