EF wrestlers roll over depleted Commodores

By Dan Palm

MVI Sports

The Frazier wrestling team lost to Elizabeth Forward before it even took the mat Monday night as injury and illness ravaged their already small lineup. 

With the Commodores only having six wrestlers and the Warriors fielding a full lineup, EF rolled to a 72-12 victory in front of its home crowd.

“I give kudos to coach Buck (Watkins) because he keeps his Frazier kids fighting even though it’s been tough as a newer program,” Warriors coach Richard Scheuermann said. “They’ve gotten better in each of his three years and they keep plugging away. He’s a great ambassador for Frazier wrestling.”

Only six bouts were contested on the mat and EF won four of them, all by pin. The Warriors won eight matches by forfeit.

Up 6-0 in the team score, EF’s AJ Wardropper was tied 8-8 with Trent Hayes at 113 pounds midway through the second period when he pulled off a two-point reversal to take the lead. Wardropper rode Hayes heavy until flipping him on his back and picking up a pin with 13 seconds left in the period to put EF up 12-0.

“AJ is a first-year sophomore who works his tail off and retains things like a sponge,” said Scheuermann. “It was good for him to get his first win under his belt, he’s earned it.”

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