Photos by Rick Nation
Because Benton, Glen Rose and Bismarck did not have full teams to compete, Thursday’s high school wrestling match, billed as the first[more] at home for the Bryant Hornets’ program turned into more of a series of exhibition matches involving athletes from each school.
“It went well,” said Hornets coach Elliot Jacobs. “It was good to get our younger wrestlers some more experience before heading into the new year.”
“Bryant would have easily won any team dual against any of these teams because of all the forfeits they would have received at vacant weight slots,” explained booster Steve Blend. “So, score was only kept for the individual matches and not in the traditional dual team format.”
Blend reported that the first seven bouts were between Bryant and Bismarck wrestlers with six resulting in pins by the Hornets.
“There was a good turnout and several good matches between all of the teams,” Blend added.
The Hornets will compete next on Jan. 13, at Van Buren.
“Our main focus is getting our varsity wrestlers ready for the State tournament,” Jacobs said.
“There is another dual in January with Cabot and Conway,” Blend said. “I can assure you they both have full teams and the intensity level will be very high. Conway, from what I’ve heard, had nearly 100 kids coming out for wrestling.”
