By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
EAU CLAIRE - Brandywine's wrestling season began at the Division 4 District Tournament in Eau Claire on Thursday night, according to Bobcat coach Rex Pomranka.
After the Bobcats second place Lakeland Conference finish behind Buchanan, the Bobcats have already put that part of the season behind them.
Brandywine's team season will continue after the Bobcats' 49-26 district championship victory over River Valley Thursday night.
The win advances the Bobcats, 29-6, to next Wednesday's regional at Decatur where they will face a 20-10 Constantine in the opening round.
Brandywine's upper weights came through for Pomranka's team bringing them back from an early 10-0 deficit.
River Valley started the championship match with a Kyle Gordon pin of the Bobcats Bryton Hutchings at 1:18 in the 112 weight class. The Mustangs followed that pin up with an 11-0 major decision by John Stein at 119 over Pat Vanlaere.
Warren Watson put the Bobcats on the scoreboard with a pin at :49 in the 125 class over Doug Pugh as the Cats' trailed 6-10. Ryan Narregan came back for the Mustangs and pinned Mike East at 1:10 at 130 pushing the Mustangs lead back to 10 points, 16-6.
RV stretched the lead to 22-10 as 140 pound Russel Kittleson pinned the Bobcats' Aaron Clifford at 1:01.
Brandywine began their push with Brian Krisher at 145 with a 14-7 decision over Jason Ehlert and closed the gap to 22-13. Juston Price picked up six more points by forfeit at 152 to bring the Bobcats to within three points, 22-19.
Joel Perry gave the Bobcats their first lead of the night with a pin at 1:00 over Josh Rabe at 160. John Coniglio gave the Mustangs their final four points and their final lead, 26-25, with a 23-15 major decision over Kyle Jones at 171.
Adam Simons 189, and Jeremy Hechtl 215, each pinned their opponents, Joshua Loeza at :28 and Ben Kacmar at :47, respectfully to seal the win for the Bobcats leading 37-26 after the pair of pins.
The Mustangs had no one for the 275 weight class and forfeited the 103 against to hand the Bobcats the championship.
River Valley advanced to the finals with a 51-27 victory over Cassopolis in the semifinal round and Brandywine shutdown Eau Claire in the other semifinal 65-15.
Cassopolis fell behind early and could never make a threat at over-taking River Valley in the opening semifinal round of the Division 4 District Wrestling Tournament at Eau Claire on Thursday evening. The Mustangs went on to take a 51-27 win to advance to the championship round were they fell to Brandywine 49-26 as the Bobcats claimed the district crown.
Picking up semifinal victories for the Rangers Thursday night were Kim Vaughn at 125 with a 16-3 major decision over Doug Pugh.
Cory Low picked up a 13-0 major decision at 135 over Ryan Narregen. John McCoy picked up a win by forfeit at 152. Josh Westphal had a pin of Robert Martin at 171 and Joshua Deubner won with a pin at 1:16 over Ben Kacmar at 215.
Brandywine advanced to the finals with a 65-15 win over Eau Claire.
Championship match
Brandywine 49
River Valley 26
103 Bryon Fisher (BW) – forfeit win
112 Kyle Gordon (RV) p. 1:18 over Bryton Hutchings
119 John Stein (RV) 11-0 major decision over Pat Vanlaere
125 Warren Watson (BW) p. :49 over Doug Pugh
130 Ryan Narregan (RV) p. 1:10 over Tyler Weedon
135 Chase Molica (BW) 13-3 major decision over Mike East
140 Russel Kittleson (RV) p. 1:01 over Arron Clifford
145 Brian Krisher (BW) 14-7 decision over Jason Ehlert
152 Justin Price ( BW) forfeit win
160 Joel Perry (BW) p. 1:00 over Justin Rabe
171 John Coniglio (RV) 23-15 major decision over Kyle Jones
189 Adam Simons (BW) p. :28 over Joshua Loeza
215 Jeremy Hechtl (BW) p :47 over Ben Kacmar
275 Aaron Edquist (BW) forfeit win