DWC wrestling claims back-to-back LCAA Division I wrestling titles with win over Haverling

The LCAA Division I league title came down to one meet with Dansville-Wayland-Cohocton hosting Haverling on Senior Night Wednesday in Dansville.

Both DWC and Haverling entered the gym with a 4-0 mark in the league, but only one could leave with the regular season championship.

Elijah Bender started DWC's night off strong with a pin at 285 pounds and DWC went on to power to a 44-19 home win to claim the DI league title for the second year in a row, a first in team history.

“This win, this title, it was all the wrestlers tonight. They made this happen," said DWC coach Justin Walker. "Our crew came out hungry to make history for our area and that's just what they did."

DWC started the meet with an impressive pin fall from Bender at 285 pounds, then picked up a forfeit before Lukas Millls-Travis got Haverling on the board with a 7-2 decision at 108 pounds. Isaac Kurtz of DWC then scored a 10-0 win at 116 pounds. Haverling and DWC traded pins 124 and 131 pounds, with Korbin Harrington (Haverling) and Noah Ott (DWC), respectively, emerging victorious. The early action gave DWC a 22-9 advantage on the scoreboard.

DWC's Peter Thompson kept the momentum going with a 9-1 major decision at 138 pounds, followed by Kaiden Ellis earning a pin in 5:23 at 145 pounds to hand DWC a commanding lead.

Haverling didn't go away and won three of the next four matches, with decisions from Haydin Smith (152 pounds), Gavin Rook (160) and Caden Hill (190) sandwiched between a quick pin by DWC's Zach Gardner at 170 pounds. It was all DWC the rest of the way, though, with a forfeit at 215 for Connor Mead.

"We've had a few issues this season giving up crucial matches in meets and tonight we planned for that," said Walker. "Coaches and I have been working hard with these guys battling hard even when losing - 'It's not the loss, it's how you lose.' The team only gave up one pin loss, three close decision losses, and only one major decision loss. We pinned six and majored two, if that doesn't show you heart or grit being up against a tough 4-0 Haverling I don't know what will.

"We have to give it to the coaches and crew at Haverling," Walker added. "They are a tough crew who we all really enjoy. It's nice to have friendly, intense competition. At the end of the day it's just amazing to sit back and watch this young crew rally and enjoy each and every moment together, it means a ton to me."

Section V wrestling: These teams will try to claim titles at dual meet championships

DWC 44, Haverling 19

101 Wyatt Sartori (DWC) wins via forfeit

108 Lukas Mills-Travis (H) wins via Dec 7-2 vs. Garrett Mehlenbacher

116 Isaac Kurtz (DWC) wins via Maj Dec 10-0 vs. Noah Schneider

124 Korbin Herrington (H) wins via pin (3:28) vs. Hope Ammarell

131 Noah Ott (DWC) wins via pin (4:17) vs. Jacob Warner

138 Peter Thompson (DWC) wins via Maj Dec 9-1 vs. Gage Thomas

145 Kaiden Ellis (DWC) wins via pin (5:23) vs. Brady Hopkins

152 Haydin Smith (H) wins via Dec 11-9 vs. Micheal Dale

160 Gavin Rook (H) wins via Maj Dec 11-2 vs. Parker Howard

170 Zach Gardner (DWC) wins via pin (1:24) vs. Caleb Homer

190 Caden Hill (H) wins via Dec 7-0 vs. Dom Odell

215 Connor Mead (DWC) wins via forfeit

285 Elijah Bender (DWC) wins via pin (:33) vs. Waylon Hoad

Exhibition:

124 Miles Harrington (DWC) wins via pin (4:55) vs. Trenton Mauroud

131 Chucky Cibrian (DWC) wins via pin (:36) vs. Athena Gardiner

138 Ty Shirmer (DWC) win via pin (3:55) vs. Dakota Haley

145 Cavan Byron (DWC) wins via pin (4:23) vs. Contessa Vanskiver

285 Ben Parker (DWC) wins via pin (1:02) vs. Russell Maddox

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Dansville Wayland Cohocton wrestling wins second straight LCAA title