Varsity wrestling lost to the Newton North Tigers 49-30 on their senior night on Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the Schluntz Gymnasium.
The meet got off to a rough start for the Warriors, with two losses in the lighter weight classes (106 and 113 pounds), following a series of forfeit matches that resulted in the Warriors trailing 16-6. Entering the fifth match, the team faced immense pressure but responded in style when sophomore spladled his opponent, stretching his legs in an uncomfortable position, bringing the score to 16-12.
After Christ’s performance, it seemed as though the night was turning around. Senior and captain Isaac Bitran triumphed over his opponent in the first period of his match, giving the Warriors their first lead of the night. Unfortunately, the Warriors’ success did not last. Four straight pins put the Tigers ahead and widened the gap 40-18.
Freshman Alexander Muravyov found great success in his first year of wrestling. Set to face a highly ranked opponent in this pivotal point of the meet, his opponent’s skill was evident early on, as he pulled ahead of Muravyov, leading 7-2 for the first two periods of the match. As Muravyov stepped off the mat, he knew the team needed a positive result to stay in the meet. Muravyov said the coaches made this clear.
“Going into that last round, my coach said, ‘You gotta pull something big,’” Muravyov said.
Almost immediately into the third period of his match, Muravyov hurled his opponent to the ground, pinning him and winning the match. The gymnasium erupted in cheers, and again, the Warriors narrowed the gap with the Tigers.
With only three matches to go, the Warriors needed three straight pins to win the meet. Hope dwindled as the 190-pound match dragged on, eventually ending in a loss for the Warriors.
The meet ended with a pin for the Warriors at 215 pounds, immediately followed by a pin for the Tigers at 285 pounds, ending the score at 49-30, Tigers.
Tensions hung heavy, after the rivalry loss on senior night. For some, it signified the end of relationships with key role models and mentors. Muravyov said he had a special connection with senior and captain Jack Fitzgerald, who was unable to wrestle due to injury.
“I’m going to miss Jack a lot. He’s a role model because his freshman year, he was succeeding in a similar way that I did, so I really look up to following in his footsteps,” Muravyov said. “He really is the big leader here, and it’s going to be tough to miss him.”
Head coach Brandon Bruttomesso said he looks forward to facing the Tigers again in their upcoming sectionals and said that while this year involved some rebuilding, spirits were high and will continue to thrive in future seasons.
According to Bitran, though disappointed by the bitter loss, their is advice to be given to the wrestling program’s younger members.
“Wrestling on senior night, it’s pretty emotional; it’s the last time we’ll ever wrestle at home,” Bitran said. “When you start wrestling it feels insane, and you feel like you’re never going to be able to do it, but it goes by really quick, and you end up finishing something you’ll be proud of for your whole life.”
