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(Freshman Chase Downing, Churubusco’s 120 pound wrestler, advanced to Semi-State with his win over Ryan Shaffer.) photo by hiatt

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by Don Hiatt

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The Churubusco Eagles wrestling team advanced freshman Chase Downing to Semi-State Saturday at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

“We are really happy to see a freshman make it to Semi-State,” said Coach Sam Riesen. “At Churubusco we have had a lot of good wrestlers and none of them have made it to Semi-State as a freshman. It’s quite the accomplishment. Coming into the season, we knew that Downing was talented but he was making some freshman mistakes. Now, he is cleaning up the mistakes and having a nice end to his season and peaking at the right time. At this time of the year, we have a lot of close matches. Downing is stepping up and winning those close, tough matches. The two matches that Downing lost today, those wrestlers are seniors. The other three kids that made it out of his solid weight class are seniors. So that really says a lot about Downing.”

Downing won his first match in exciting fashion. He was behind in points heading into the third round. Downing then took control and worked Ryan Shaffer from New Haven into a pin with just :01 left in the second round. Downing then lost to Erique Early from Snider in a 3-2 decision and Tommie Lockett from Heritage in a 10-5 decision placing in fourth place.

“Had a few tough matches, especially my second one, but to win the first match was pretty thrilling,” said  Downing. “I had to take it to Shaffer in the first match to advance to Semi-State. Then I had fun with my next couple of matches. I will be practicing hard and suffering though the pain this week to prepare for Semi-State. But I will also be wrestling smart and having fun. I think getting this far as a freshman has given me the confidence and work ethic for the years to come in my wrestling career.”

Shane Shroyer lost by a 5:15 pin to Mason Meling from Snider. Adam Boggess lost to Antonio Elkins from Snider in a 7-1 decision. Jason Nicodemus lost to James Starks of Snider in a 4-2 decision. Sam Siddons lost to Cody Conrad from Heritage in a 1-0 decision and Brian Richardson lost to Kanez Omar of Wayne in a 7-3 decision.

“This year we only have one make it to Semi-State,” explained Coach Riesen. “It’s unfortunate, but that also shows how tough our Regional is. It’s not that they didn’t wrestle hard today, we just came up on the wrong end of the matches today.”

On Saturday, come support Chase Downing as he faces Kegan Kern from Peru in the first round of the 120 pound weight class at Semi-State at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m.

Other articles in Churubusco Eagle Sports

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