Preston’s Hunter Lantz wrestles Morgantown’s Michael White on Thursday. 
Preston’s Jacob Jennings wrestles Morgantown’s Dylan Haseley on Thursday. 
Preston’s Hunter Lantz wrestles Morgantown’s Michael White on Thursday. 
Preston’s Richard Layton wrestles Morgantown’s Hank Marlin on Thursday. 
Preston’s Richard Layton wrestles Morgantown’s Hank Marlin on Thursday. 
Preston’s Richard Layton wrestles Morgantown’s Hank Marlin on Thursday. 
Preston’s Jacob Gregg wrestles Morgantown’s Liam O’Connor on Thursday. 
Preston’s Curtis Shreve wrestles Morgantown’s Griffen Leombruno on Thursday. 
Preston’s Curtis Shreve wrestles Morgantown’s Griffen Leombruno on Thursday. 
Preston’s Brendon Pacholke wrestles Morgantown’s Brodrick Washington on Thursday. 
Preston’s Zach Riffle wrestles Trentin Thompson on Thursday. 
Preston’s Braydon Smith wrestles Morgantown’s Cameron Lawrence on Thursday.
KINGWOOD, W.Va. — It was most certainly a good night for celebrating the Preston High wrestling program Thursday. It was Senior Night, so the careers of Jacob Gregg, Hunter Lantz and Bryson Wilkins were featured in a pre-match ceremony. Then veteran, well-respected referee Mike Stalnaker was recognized for his 50th season calling matches.
The match between the Knights and rival Morgantown wasn’t decided until the final match between Morgantown’s Dylan Haseleu and Preston’s Jacob Jennings — two heavyweights. A hearty roar came when Jennings pinned his sophomore counterpoint 29 seconds into the second period to cap a furious Preston comeback for a thrilling 45-36 win.
Each team had forfeits at three weight classes, so when the Mohigans began the meet with a series of super quick pins, it looked like the Knights might get blown out of their own gym. Cameron Lawrence (11 seconds at 126), Trentin Thompson (56 seconds at 132) and Broderick Washington (1 minute and 12 seconds at 145) all racked up impressive falls, and Morgantown held a commanding 30-12 lead.
That’s when the Knights finally got busy.
Sophomore Curtis Shreve was bumped up to 152 to face senior Griffin Leombruno, and in a very competitive match, Shreve nearly earned a pin before the first period expired. Then, Shreve finished the job halfway through the second period to get his team rolling.
After the Mohigans’ last forfeit win at 160 gave them a 36-18 lead, Preston’s margin for error in the final five matches was razor thin.
At 170, Richard Layton and Hank Marlin wrestled the only match that went the distance. Layton forged an early 6-0 lead, but Marlin’s late second period escape and reversal cut the lead in half. Layton earned two points early in the final period and rode out the clock for an important 3-point decision.
Seniors Lantz and Gregg ripped off first period pins at 182 and 195, and when the Knights added on their final forfeit of the match at 220 to take a 39-36 lead, the match came down to the 285 pounders.
After a cautious, scoreless first period, Jennings managed to catch a leg, which produced a takedown, and a quick power flip exposed Haseleu’s back, and steady pressure resulted in the winning pin — much to the delight of the Knights and their fans.
“I loved starting like a house of fire,” Morgantown coach Joe Abu said after the match. “Obviously, there were some very good individual match performances. I was very happy to see Broderick (Washington) win at 145, because he’s been hurt all year and just now starting to get back into wrestling shape.
“It’s obviously tough to lose a close one like this, and several matches could easily have gone the other way, but I’m pleased with our progress. I told the guys that we just need to learn from this, put it behind us and think about the big prize — getting qualified for states.”
Preston coach Ike Dixon had an inkling that this one might go down to the wire.
“I thought it would be close,” he said, “Several matches were right on the edge. Big, big win for Curtis (Shreve), especially when he was about 10 pounds underweight. Layton’s win was big for him. He’s in his first year, and he’s strong but green, and he was struggling earlier in the year. He stuck with it, learned a few things he can use and it’s great to see him put the work to successful practice.
“Of course, it’s always pretty exciting when it comes down to the last match. I was very happy for Jacob. They’ve met before, and this win over a very good wrestler should help him a lot for regional seeding. Teamwise, it was just a great comeback win over a rival on Senior Night, and it doesn’t get much better than that.”
While Morgantown is off until the regional meet at Buckhannon-Upshur on Feb. 18, Preston travels to Keyser on Feb. 5.
