Lee’s Summit West came into Wednesday’s season opening dual against Raymore-Peculiar at a disadvantage.
The Titans came in with two open spots while Ray-Pec had a full lineup, so West surrendered 12 points on forfeits. Despite the handicap, West still showed it will likely be a formidable team in the Suburban Gold Conference.
The Titans won nine out of 12 contest matches as they earned a 46-29 victory in a dual at Raymore-Peculiar High School.
West had a lot of impressive performances, some from those new to the lineup, including freshman Karsen Fetters (120 pounds). He hooked a double chicken wing against Parker Verner and worked a pin in 1 minute and 42 seconds.
“The atmosphere is really good here,” Fetters said. “I was really good on top and I was able to put the pressure on him. I was able to get in the double chicken wing and control the match.”
Braylen Koelzer (132) also wrestled his first varsity match and dominated. He was in a tight match with Jayden Peek and held a slight 9-6 edge before getting the turn and a pin in 3:16.
“I felt like I wrestled the best ever and I feel super energized,” Koelzer said. “I defended his shot in the first period. In the second period, I got my stuff in, I got him in a chicken wing then I went to a half nelson and turned him for the pin.”
Karsen Fetters’ brother, Jaxton Fetters (144), is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he finished 31-10 but he was unable to make it to state after falling in the bubble match at districts. He got off to a strong start this season as he pinned Cameron Price in 50 seconds.
“It was a good match. He was a good opponent,” Jaxton Fetters said.
Noah Patton (285) got maybe the most impressive victory of the day for West as he used a headlock takedown into a head and arm hold to pin Pierce Hazen to get a pin in 2:11 to end the dual.
“I caught him off balance,” Patton said. “The head and arm was there so I took it and got him on his back.”
Other Titans to win were Jaxin Johnson (106) by fall over Jaxon Croswhite in 1:21; Camren Koelzer (113) took a 11-2 major decision over Malleki Louis; Pierce Steed (138) controlled his match in a 11-2 major decision against Oliver Branick; Lane Pannell (157) topped Gage Medley in a 14-4 win; and Grady Mortensen (165) grinded out a 15-4 major decision against Jacob Wood.
For Ray-Pec, it earned three victories in contested matches starting with Kamdon VonHolten’s pin of Quentin Robinson in 2:12 in the 126-pound bout.
“I got in all my shots, and I stayed aggressive,” VonHolten said. “I was just working my stuff.”
Merrick Dombroski (175) also got a pin for the Panthers as he used an armbar to turn Jonah Fontier and he got a pin in just 43 seconds.
“I just tried my hardest no matter what,” Dombroski said. “I really tried to do what’s open. I tried to not to do something stupid.”
Others to earn victories for the Panthers were Maddox Samson (190) and Aidan Carver (215) by forfeit and Evan Gatlin (150) earned a 16-1 tech fall against Logan Markovich.
Girls
Raymore-Peculiar won three out of five contested matches and that was enough to capture a 39-30 team victory over West in the girls dual.
Danielle Totten (120) won by an injury forfeit after trailing 3-1 vs. Sam Lopez, who appeared to suffer a facial injury; Arianna Cason (125) escaped with a 10-9 win over Ashley Heffernan and Abby Keating (155) pinned Venus Ogunyemi in 2:34.
Panthers who won by forfeit were Bailee Amerson (140), Kinsley Larimer (145), Paxtynne Pritchett (170); and Maddie Welch (190).
For West, Liza Williams (115) used a head and arm hold to pin Olivia Tyvela in 2:22 and Darilyn George pinned Mya Nolen in 1:02. Titans to win by forfeit were McKenna Gardner (130) Maddy Haugstad (105) and Kinley Harker (110).