Not bad for openers

Not bad for openers



		Butler's Blake Caudill takes Shaler's Jordan McMonagle to the mat during their 113-pound wrestling match Thursday night. The Golden Tornado won the duial match, 75-6. Dave Prelosky/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — In Butler's season-opening dual wrestling match, the Golden Tornado didn't need to be perfect — they just needed to be there.
The Tornado used six pins and six forfeits to cruise past Shaler, 75-6, in a Section 3A match Thursday at the Butler Intermediate High School.
The Titans contested just eight of the 14 bouts.
“With their junior high kids, we know it's a sign of things to come for them,” said Butler coach Scott Stoner. “They have some tough kids coming through.”
None, however, were able to help as the Tornado opened the match with a fall by sophomore Ryan Hannon, whose pin over Evan Sciullo was followed by two forfeit wins to open up a quick 18-0 lead.
“Ryan's not as technical, but he's physical,” Stoner said.
The Titans picked up their only win on the night when Nick Carey pinned sophomore Austin George at 1:18.
“For Austin, the one nice thing, even in a loss, is he's athletic. He only started last year,” Stoner said.
After a Blake Caudill 7-1 decision over Jordan McMonigle gave the Tornado a 27-6 lead, the Tornado took the last eight matches via forfeit or pin, with no bout going into the third period.
“Blake really didn't feel well and struggled a bit,” Stoner said. “He's been cutting a lot of weight.
Korey Caudill (120), Zach Reges (132), Jeremiah Bortmas (145), Grant Ferrari (152) and Will Bortmas (170) all recorded pins down the stretch.
“We had a couple of other kids we could have brought up,” Stoner said. “We have some depth and some experience. We'll have to compensate by me coaching my butt off.”
The Tornado had opened the season last weekend with a runner-up finish at the 22-team Chartiers-Houston Tournament. Peters Township won the tournament with 183 points, one-half point ahead of the Tornado.
Still, despite the early-season success, Stoner is curious to see where this year's squad can go.
“We definitely have some inexperience,” Stoner said. “I didn't think we'd contend last weekend. We had a couple of kids knocked out early, but a lot of times we did contend.
“I can't get a feel for where we're at. It may take until we get into the meat of our season,” Stoner added.
Notes: Butler will return to action at Mars next Wednesday before heading to the Wheeling Park Duals Dec. 28-29 ... The George “Doc” Phillips Junior Varsity Tournament will be held starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the intermediate high school.
Butler 75, Shaler 6
Match started at 182
106 pounds: Connor Faust (B) won by forfeit; 113: Blake Caudill (B) dec. Jordan McMonigle, 7-1; 120: Korey Caudill (B) pinned Austin Heiml, 3;45; 126: Nick Sutton (B) won by forfeit; 132: Zach Reges (B) pinned Zac Drzmiecki, 3;54; 138: Jesse Spohn (B) won by forfeit; 145: Jeremiah Bortmas (B) pinned Nico D'Amico, 2:31; 152: Grant Ferrari (B) pinned Jeff Nix, 1:10; 160: Dakota Collins (B) won by forfeit; 170: Will Bortmas (B) pinned Sean Bartolowits, 1:20; 182: Ryan Hannon (B) pinned Evan Sciullo, 3:54; 195: Zach Weaver (B) won by forfeit; 220: Ben McKnight (B) won by forfeit; 285: Nick Carey (S) pinned Austin George, 1;18.