Rangers pin down Chargers

By Gary Baker / sports@thedailyreporter.com

The Reading Rangers wrestled the host Chargers tough on Wednesday night, taking a commanding 57-22 victory. Union City gave up 12 points to start on voids at 103 and 171.

The young squads battled back and forth early, but Reading proved to be too strong from 130 pounds and up.

"Reading has good numbers," said Union City coach Ed Sybesma. "For years, I've said they were the team to watch."

Mike York picked up an early void at 285; but Austin McClellan got a void at 103 to tie the score at 6.

At 112, Justin Counterman pinned Reading's Tanner Johncock in 2:15, to give the Chargers a momentary 12-6 edge.

At 119, Reading's Kyle Smith evened the count, pinning Todd Powell in 33 seconds. At 125, Garrett Wooden pinned Reading's Shane Haredwick in 1:36 to put Union City up 18-12.

At 130, Tyler Buell pinned Kelci Tesch in 2:08 to tie it at 18. Reading got three straight wins from there, with Frank Stepnowski pinning Trinity Marshall at 135 pounce in 2:54. Brennen Johncock took an 11-5 decision overt John Powell at 140 and Thomas Strine pinned Zach Dowell at 145 in 1:06, to give Reading a 33-18 lead.

At 152, Jacob Williams took an 11-1 decision over Zachery Dieterle; but the Rangers won out, with Josh Jenkins pinning Jason Gruner at 160 in 2:29; a void at 171; a Dalton Harding pin at 189 in 2:21 and Dalton Keegan pinning Jacob Woodman at 215 in 1:21.

"I told the team that one of two things would happen tonight," said Sybesma. "They would either walk out of here with their heads between their legs or with their heads held high. I was proud of their effort tonight."

Union City is 2-9 overall and 0-1 in the Big Eight and will see action on Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Coldwater Classic Invitational.