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Pin in final match sends Janesville Parker past Craig

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Parker vs Craig Wrestling Dual

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JANESVILLE — Ron Cramer broke out the vintage Janesville Parker pinstripe wrestling singlets Wednesday night, hoping they had one more win in them.

Cody Colson made sure his coach’s wish came true.

In the final match of Wednesday night, Colson pinned Janesville Craig’s Dakota Pearson in the first period to give the Vikings an electric 39-36 Big Eight Conference win over their crosstown rival in the Parker gymnasium.

The defending conference tournament champion Vikings improved to 5-0 in Big Eight dual meets. Craig missed a chance to get back into the title chase as it fell to 3-2.

With Parker trailing 36-33 heading into the final bout at 285, Colson needed at least a major decision to win the match for the Vikings. He needed only 1:21 to end it and send the Parker faithful home happy.

“It was neck-and-neck the whole meet, so I figured it may come down to my match,” Colson said. “I’m glad I could go out and win it, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the rest of my team doing their job.

“I was pretty confident going in,’’ he said. “I might not have the best won/loss record, but I feel like I can hold my own.”

Parker had a 19-0 lead after four bouts, thanks to pins from Austin Gonzalez (103) and Adam Cavey (112), a 4-0 win at 119 for Brennan Casey-Schmidt, and a decisive 18-6 victory for Evan Cavey at 125.

Craig stormed back to get within one on pins from Siven Furseth (130) and Ryan Coleman (140), and a forfeit victory at 135.

The Vikings pushed the lead back to 11 on a pin from Josh Lindaas at 145, and a 10-1 major decision from Alex Perkins at 152.

Nathan Mather got six points back for Craig at 160 with a pin, but Anthony Cooper countered for Parker with four points after a 14-3 decision at 171.

The Cougars took their only lead on back-to-back pins from Drilon Grajcevci at 189 and Mike Spaulding at 215, setting up Colson’s heroics at 285.

“We’re not about excuses. Parker just outwrestled us tonight,” Craig coach Jeff Kaster said. “We got some momentum going, but not enough it.

“I’m really proud of the three seniors in our lineup tonight. All three went out and won by pin.”

Parker assistant coach Andy Tubbs knew the teams were evenly matched, but he felt good about the Vikings’ chances heading into the 285-pound bout.

“I can’t say enough about Cody Colson,” Tubbs said. “He got a chance to be a hero tonight and made the most of it.

“It was a good fight both ways, which always seems to be the case when it’s Parker/Craig.”

Cramer’s good-luck charm paid off with one more win as the Vikings improved their lead in the city series to 31-14.

PARKER 39, CRAIG 36

103—Austin Gonzalez (P) pinned Aaron Wehrwein, 1:17; 112—Adam Cavey (P) pinned Ryan Ruble, 1:58; 119—Brennan Casey-Schmidt (P) dec. Kyle Upmann, 4-0; 125—Evan Cavey (P) major dec. Jamie Kumlein, 18-6; 130—Siven Furseth (C) pinned Brandon Zeilinger, 3:12; 135—Chris Pierce (C) won by forfeit; 140—Ryan Coleman (C) pinned Travis Rucinski, 3:18.

145—Josh Lindaas (P) pinned Cody Greunwald, 1:01; 152—Alex Perkins (P) major dec. over Zach Vogt, 10-1; 160—Nathan Mather (C) pinned Lucas Comstock, 1:04; 171—Anthony Cooper (P) major dec. over Zak Kurtz, 14-3; 189—Drilon Grajcevci (C) pinned Aaron Polzin, 2:55; 215—Mike Spaulding (C) pinned Nick Ackerman, 3:40; 285—Cody Colson (P) pinned Dakota Pearson, 1:21.

n Starting weight—103.