Highland wrestlers split Senior Night season finale against Carlyle, Metro-East Lutheran
All in all, Highland wrestler Benny Mitchell and the Bulldogs wrestling team enjoyed a productive and successful regular season home finale.
Mitchell — the Bulldogs lone senior grappler — was honored on Senior Night and the Bulldogs turned in a solid performance to honor him as HHS split a pair of dual matches in beating Metro-East Lutheran 21-3 and losing a close 30-27 decision to Carlyle on Monday, Jan. 24, at Highland High School.
Against, Metro-East Lutheran, the Bulldogs only wrestled four matches due to most of the lineup being out with injuries, illness, academic issues, or COVID protocol.
“With me having guys in the COVID protocol, concussions, and a couple out with grades, we’re pretty thin,” Highland coach Shorty Ohren said. “I’ve got more guys in the training room than I do in my wrestling room right now.”
Overall, Mitchell rolled to victory at 170 pounds by striking early for a first-period quick pin to claim his match.
“I bumped Benny up to 170 and he pinned his kid pretty quick,” Ohren said.
At 160 pounds, August Rottmann shut her opponent from Metro-East Lutheran out 3-0.
“She beat her guy 3-0 and did really well,” Ohren said.
Due to the lack of wrestlers, HHS only wrestled three matches against the Knights. However, the third and final match against Metro-East was the most exciting as Tyson Rakers battled through four overtimes before losing his match at 138 pounds.
“Ty lost and he went into the last overtime and he had to get away to win and the guy held him down, so he lost (his match),” Ohren said. “It was a great match.”
Mitchell was the lone wrestler for Highland against Carlyle as the other matches were forfeits. Mitchell won his match but it was not quite enough for a win.
“Benny beat him, but Benny needed to pin him and then we would have won,” Ohren said.
It was a perfect finish to Mitchell’s final home appearance as he won both matches to close out his four-year career.
“He finished on a high note at home, won both matches and he wrestled well both matches,” Ohren said.
‘Prepare for the future’
Highland competed in the the Mississippi Valley Conference Duals Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 29, at Jerseyville High School. And Ohren went into the competition with an eye on the future with his freshman-laden team.
“I want to prepare my guys for the future,” Ohren said. “See what I’m going to be able to build around and see what my young guys do for next year and beyond.”
Highland Bowling
The Highland boys bowling team made their trip to the IHSA sectionals count last weekend.
The Bulldogs boys keglers overcame a slow start that landed them in 12th place and ultimately surged to a fifth place finish in the sectional tournament Saturday, Jan. 22, to qualify for the state tournament.
HHS, which made its first state appearance since 2004, competed in the state tournament Saturday, Jan. 29, at St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights.
Highland Girls Basketball
It was a competitive night for the Highland girls basketball team Monday, Jan. 25, against Alton Marquette. But in the final two minutes, the Lady Bulldogs were forced to foul and the Explorers sank free throws to hold off HHS for a 53-45 win.
Highland (6-21) trailed just 26-24 at halftime and 46-42 in the final two minutes before the Explorers put the game away.
Grace Wilke paced the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points and Alex Schultz added 14 points. Abby Huelsmann scored 8 points.
Highland Hockey
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Highland hockey team faced off against Columbia.
Highland played well for most of the night but Columbia had just enough offense to slip past HHS for a 7-4 Mississippi Valley Club Hockey Association interdivisional win at McKendree Rec Plex in O’Fallon.
HHS slipped to 10-11-2 with the loss.