Ottumwa struggles against East

DES MOINES — There’s not a whole lot a wrestling coach or a team can do with seven open weight classes.

That was the problem that faced the Ottumwa Bulldog wrestling squad on Monday night at Des Moines East.

The Scarlets won the CIML Metro Conference opener dual meet 57-14.

Weight classes 103, 125, 140, 152, 160, 189, and heavyweight were all forfeited to Des Moines East, who has a very strong wrestling program.

“They have three, maybe four ranked wrestlers this season,” said Ottumwa head coach Kevin Cochran. “Their 112 pounder is a freshman, but he’s really good.”

Enter Ottumwa’s Megan Black.

Black, a freshman, made her high school wrestling debut Monday night, losing to Matt Schimdt by way of pin. Black is the only girl wrestler on the Ottumwa squad.

“She wrestled him twice last season,” said Cochran. “She won one and lost one. Either way, this wasn’t how her debut was supposed to go.”

Fifth-ranked Josh Griener kept his perfect record alive with a 20-5 technical fall victory at 135 for the Bulldogs. Angelo Kelly lost a close 9-7 decision at 130, while Colton Sumner secured Ottumwa’s third win at 171 wih a 4-0 decision.

“Angelo lost a really tough match against a returning state qualifier,” said Cochran. “As for Colton, he’s improved over the last couple weeks by showing more aggression.”

Ottumwa now falls to 0-9 on the season.

The Bulldogs will travel to Des Moines North Thursday, hopefully with a more complete lineup.

“The holes in our lineup are explainable,” said Cochran. “I have 18 or so kids on the bus trip home with me and a majority of the kids missed practices during holiday break. “We’ve got to become more disciplined. Until they show that commitment it takes, I don’t think they deserve to wrestle. Once they get back in the wrestling room and back in shape, I’ll have no problem letting them compete and wrestle again.”



Des Moines East 57, Ottumwa 14

103 — Forfeit. 112 — Megan Black (O) lost by fall to Matt Schimt. 119 — Karsten VanVelsor won by fall over DeShane Lund. 125 — Forfeit. 130 — Angelo Kelly lost to Tyler Slinger 9-7. 135 — Josh Greiner won by tech fall over Chris Spatz 20-5. 140 — Forfeit. 145 — Kyle Hines loss by fall to Shane DeGoey. 152 — Open. 160 — Forfeit. 171 — Colton Sumner won over Brody Borrows 4-0. 189 — Open. 215 — Andy Orona lost by fall to Brandon Banges. HWT — Forfeit.

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