Poland wrestlers lose two close matches

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Poland's Mike Audi (left) shakes hands with his opponent before their match.

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Neighbors | Submitted.Max Prizant attempts to score a takedown against his opponent from Cardinal Middlefield during their recent match.

The Poland varsity wrestling team lost a pair of closely-contested dual matches, falling to South Range (47-41) and Cardinal Middlefield (40-36).

“As a whole, the team made many costly mistakes. It is imperative that our guys learn how to fight off their backs and get out from the bottom by establishing wrist control. Failure to master this will result in more defeats,” said Poland coach Tony Stellato.

“Fighting off your back is an attitude — pride in oneself —.knowing that you will do whatever it takes to not let your opponent pin you. Our guys need to learn this.”

Against the Raiders, Max Prizant, Tad Duran, AJ Shields and Jason Velasquez each won matches for Poland. Jordan Zeigler scored six team points for the Bulldogs with a pin with just 11 seconds left in the third period. Mike Audi also registered a pin, needing just 21 seconds to win the match. George Dibo scored a pin in his first career match.

In the match against Cardinal, Prizant scored a medical default when his opponent could not finish the match due to an injury.

Shields pinned his opponent at 3:07 and Mitch Lidle scored a pin in 46 seconds. Bob Bricker won by forfeit and Joe Williams won by pin.