Washington grapplers ride Hounds in loss

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR -

FORT MADISON - The Fort Madison Bloodhounds found themselves squared up against a veteran Washington Demon squad Thursday night at the Hound dome.

The Hounds were battling from behind in most matches in the 54-18 loss.

"Washington's a veteran, battle-tested team. As a dual meet team they are a top-10 team in the state. "We're taking some growing pains. We don't have any seniors and I think they had 7 seniors,' said FM head coach Ryan Smith.

Diego Lozano, and Ryan, Harlan and Aaron Steffensmeier had the wins for the Hounds.

Lozano, 182 lbs., had an exciting come-from-behind win in the waning moments of the third period of his match with Washington's Collin Murphy. Lozano who had been trailing for most of the match escaped for 2 points in the final 24 seconds before rushing Collin and catching him in a toss for another 2 points for the win with under 10 seconds left. At the Hound tourney before the break Lozano won in similar fashion.

"We'd like to see him have that energy throughout the whole match and not wait til the last minute. But he did get the job done and he didn't give up," Smith said.

Ryan Steffensmeier, 113 lbs., held on for a 3-1 decision in his match and Harlan Steffensmeier, ranked 3rd in the state, put Washington's Andrew Waite in a cradle at the 3:06 mark for his 19th pin in 21 matches.

"So far my season's been pretty good. One loss to the number one ranked kid in the state. I went out and fought but didn't wrestle my match. I looked at tape over the break and worked on my technique. I think the 2nd season's going to be a good half," Steffensmeier said.

"That kid's tough, he was a very solid opponent. Harlan's doing a great job and beating good wrestlers," Smith said.

In other action

Jarrett Settles, 160, was pinned at 1:14; Danen Settles, 195, was pinned at the 1:25 mark; Alex Lauber, 220, was pinned at the 3:54 mark, Heath Hoenig, 285, was pinned at the :34 mark, Elton Kruse, 106, lost by technical fall 18-1, Nathan Steffensmeier, 120, lost 14-2, Skylar Schau, 126, was pinned at 2:52, Dalton Woolever, 132, lost 8-1, and Aaron Steffensmeier won by injury default.