Westerners split with MMC, Beresford

(Sentinel photo by Bethany Kroeze) A-W's Joe Sievert takes down his MMC opponent during a home dual on Thursday evening. [Click to enlarge]

The Akron-Westfield grapplers split their two matches as they hosted Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn and Beresford in a triad meet Thursday night.

The Westerners began the evening by dropping a 36-21 decision to Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn.

Tyler Schneider won an 11-3 decision at 135 pounds and Nick Hoffman won a 12-9 decision at 145 in a contest that was tied at 9-9 until late in the third round.

(Sentinel photo by Bethany Kroeze) A-W's Tyler Schneider takes down his MMC opponenent in his 11-3 decision victory Thursday in Akron. [Click to enlarge]

"Hoffman came out and cut down a weight class and he's putting together a real nice senior season," A-W coach Mark Van Oort said.

Joe Sievert won a 4-0 decision at 160 pounds.

Reuben Ritz won by fall in 47 seconds at 215 and Chet Utesch won by fall at 119 in 1:31.

The Westerners rebounded with a 41-33 victory over Beresford.

"It was a nice dual victory for us," Van Oort said. "That's our sixth dual win which for these guys is a big deal when we're giving up six to seven forfeits every meet."

Utesch recorded another pin at 119 in 4:53. The freshman's performance this season has pleased the A-W coaching staff.

"Chet has been a real nice surprise for us," Van Oort said. "We knew coming in that he had some mat skills, but he's worked really hard this season and honed his skills."

"The kid is living the life of a wrestler...he's really fun to coach."

Hoffman won a 16-1 decision and Ethen Hecht won by fall at 160 pounds in 3:20.

Sievert won by fall in 59 seconds and Daniel Bride (189), Ritz (215) and Alex Waterbury (125) all won by forfeit.

The Westerners return to action Saturday at the Aurelia tournament.