Boxers Fall Short Of Upset Of Ranked Highline Squad
DES MOINES, Wash. – Pacific fell just short of evening their dual meet record against one of the top junior college teams in the nation Saturday as the Boxers fell 24-21 to Highline CC in men's wrestling action at the Thunderdome.
As has been much their mode of operation this season, the Boxers relied on their heavier weights to keep things close. The Boxers won four of the last six matches of the dual, which included a pair of forfeits. Pacific competed without a full lineup for the first time this season after Devin Silva (So., Spokane, Wash.) failed to make weight at 149 pounds. With the loss, Pacific saw their dual record drop to 3-5.
Highline jumped out to the 17-0 lead early thanks in part to major decision victories by Steven Romero at 125 pounds and Drew Dacey at 133 pounds. Pacific got on the board thanks to Highline's forfeit at 157 pounds before
Bruce Balcita (So., Myrtle Creek, Ore.) scored the first on mat victory for the Boxers with his 12-8 decision over Craig Dyess at 165 pounds.
The Thunderbirds took a 21-9 lead at 174 pounds with Lucas Huyber taking a 10-3 decision from
Chris Harlin (So., Issaquah, Wash.) and Thomas Rhinehard added three more points with his 7-3 decision over
Caleb Malychewski (So., Camas, Wash.) at 184.
A forfeit at 197 brought the Boxers within 24-15 before
Jared Bridgewater (So., Hillsboro, Ore.) closed the afternoon with a first round pin at heavyweight over Michael Henry. The victory was the second of the weekend for Bridgewater and ran his record to 12-8 on the season.
Pacific returns to dual meet action next weekend, closing out a string of nine straight matches on the road. The Boxers compete at No. 6 (NJCAA) ranked Southwestern Oregon CC on Friday before making their annual trip to Ashland for a Saturday match with No. 3 (NAIA) ranked Southern Oregon.
NO. 8 (NJCAA) HIGHLINE CC 24, PACIFIC 21
125: Steven Romero (HCC) maj. dec.
Zach Binkerd (PAC), 9-1 (4-0 HCC)
133: Drew Dacey (HCC) maj. dec.
Eric Harder (PAC), 11-3 (8-0 HCC)
141: Josh Romero (HCC) dec.
Ryan Baxter (PAC), 7-3 (11-0 HCC)
149: Cameron Kuehn (HCC) win by forfeit (17-0 HCC)
157:
Michael Tyner (PAC) win by forfeit (17-6 HCC)
165:
Bruce Balcita (PAC) dec. Craig Dyess (HCC), 12-8 (17-9 HCC)
174: Lucas Huyber (HCC) dec.
Chris Harlin (PAC), 10-3 (21-9 HCC)
184: Thomas Rhinehard (HCC) dec.
Caleb Malychewski (PAC), 7-3 (24-9 HCC)
197: Wes Heredia (PAC) win by forfeit (24-15 HCC)
285:
Jared Bridgewater (PAC) win by fall over Michael Henry (HCC), 2:57 (24-21 HCC)
