Indians cruise past Bombers

Lehighton dominated Palmerton by scoring bonus points and taking advantage of its deep lineup to breeze to a 60-15 victory in a non-league wrestling match on Wednesday.

The match started at the 170-pound weight class, and was never close.

Christian Rodriguez started the scoring for the Indians after receiving a forfeit.

Following the forfeit, the Indians next three wrestlers took care of business, as they all earned quick falls.

Jack Zimmerman defeated Chris Lucykanish in just 46 seconds to give the Indians a 12-0 lead. Alex Ziegenfuss then outlasted Palmerton’s Cody Green using a half nelson to get a pin just 2:40 into the match. Brett Gasker followed his teammates’ lead by following up a quick takedown with a fall in 1:22.

The trio of falls increased the Lehighton lead to 24-0.

“We look to improve the rest of the season and stay healthy to fill all of the weight classes, which proved to be crucial tonight,” Lehighton coach Floyd Brown said.

Palmerton’s Kyle Kralik was handed a forfeit at 285 pounds getting the Bombers on the scoreboard.

Unfortunately for Palmerton, forfeits hurt them again at the 106- and 113- weight classes. The Indians’ Mason Ferguson and Steven Fritzinger both took the forfeits giving the Indians a 36-6 lead about halfway through the match.

The match then went to 120 pounds, which proved to be the closest bout of the night.

Kevin Madea jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the bout by utilizing two takedowns and two nearfall points. Palmerton’s Colton Stroup kept fighting and hit a five-point move in the third period to take the late lead 8-6. But Madea managed to get a reversal with only 30 seconds left and the match went to overtime.

In the one minute extra period, Madea wasted no time getting deep on a shot and taking down Stroup to earn the 10-8 win.

At 126, Lehighton’s Nate Kemmener came out quickly, pinning Palmerton’s Grant Scott in only 27 seconds.

The Indians’ Lucas Sangiulanio had a close 6-4 match going on with Shawn Gardner at 132 pounds until Sangiulanio caught him in headlock and got the fall in 2:59.

Following another pin by Lehighton’s Logan Pagatto at 138, Palmerton put one of their best wrestlers out at 145.

Lucas Christmas came out and quickly put Lehighton’s Chris Whiteman on his back, giving him a 5-0 lead. Christman controlled the rest of the match and gave his team one of their few wins, posting a 6-2 decision.

Palmerton’s Nate Stene received a forfeit at 152 pounds, before Richard Fronheiser of Lehighton pulled out a 6-1 win over Dylan Ganjo.

“It was nice to get a win. They are a well-coached team and it was nice to edge out some of those close matches tonight,” Brown said.

STAYING PERFECT ... Lehighton improves to 5-0 in dual meet competition. Palmerton falls to 0-4.

PINNED IT ... Lehighton won 11 of the 14 bouts with six of them coming via falls. The Indians also collected three forfeits and a pair of decisions.

Lehighton 60, Palmerton 15

170 - Christian Rodriguez (L) won by forfeit

182 - Jack Zimmerman (L) pinned Chris Lucykanish in 0:46

195 - Alex Zeigenfuss (L) pinned Cody Green in 2:40

220 - Brett Gasker (L)) pinned Aiden Melber in 1:22

285 - Kyle Kralik (P) won by forfeit

106 - Mason Ferguson (L) won by forfeit

113 - Steven Fritzinger (L) won by forfeit

120 - Kevin Madea (L) dec. Colton Stroup, 10-8 (SV)

126 - Nathan Kemmerer (L) pinned Grant Scott in 1:27

132 - Lucas Sangiuliano (L) pinned Shawn Gardner in 2:59

138 - Logan Pagotto (L) pinned Matt Lalik in 5:05

145 - Lucas Christman (P) dec. Chris Whiteman, 6-2

152 - Nate Sterner (P) won by forfeit

160 - Richard Fronheiser (L) dec. Dylan Gonyo, 6-0