Arabians tops at Super Six

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PENDLETON — Saturday’s Super Six wrestling match at Pendleton Heights may have served as a warmup to the upcoming Dec. 17 Madison County Tournament, the Arabians went into the day missing some of their varsity members.

Despite vacancies in three weight classes, the Arabians finished the day on top, defeating Purdue Polytech 49-30, Lawrence Central 51-33, Frankton 44-30, Winchester 42-36 and Anderson 50-30.

“The Arabians piled up plenty of bonus-point wins to overcome the deficit they faced in only 11 of 14 classes,” Coach Dave Cloud said.

The wins put the Arabians at 15-2 for the season, and they go into the Madison County Tourney at Anderson looking for their eighth consecutive team title.

Coach Cloud said their effort would be dedicated to Brad Williamson, who passed away on Dec. 9.

Williamson was not only a lifelong friend of Cloud but also a coach, mentor, official and tournament director for many years.

Williamson, a graduate of Pendleton Heights, had coached and taught in several schools but taught at Pendleton Heights from 1997 until his retirement. Williamson was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.

Vs. Brefeuf

On Dec. 7, Pendleton Heights hosted Brebeuf Jesuit. It was Brebeuf’s first meet since the sudden passing of Tav VanNatta who wrestled in the 145 class.

To honor him, a moment of silence was observed, and he was introduced in his weight class against Arabian Jack Todd.

“We’ve all been through it,” Cloud said. “We had a young man here, Zach Wise, about 11 years ago. It was devastating.”

Todd went on to wrestle and defeat the JV opponent.

“We know about that ourselves. We understand what it’s like to lose a kid like that so suddenly,” Todd said.

The Arabians went on to win the night 54-24 after nine wins by fall on the mat.

Junior Eli Libler, who was slated in the 220 class would have won by forfeit, but shortly before the match, the class was named a double forfeit.

Libler moved up to wrestle a heavyweight for the night.

After getting behind 5-0 from Braves opponent Finn Walters, Libler said in an interview he thought he would be pinned and had to react.

“I maneuvered to get out of it, and it did work.”

Libler went on with a takeover and eventual pin of Walters with only one second remaining in the first period.

“He just never quits,” Cloud said. “It would have been so easy when you’ve got a guy that big laying on you.”

Walters was several inches taller and 11 pounds heavier than Libler.

In earlier exhibition matches between the girls wrestlers from both teams, six Arabians and Braves faced off including Brebeuf’s Maggie Boncosky, who is ranked No. 2 in the state at 138.

Arabian sophomore Kallie Stock won her 170-pound class by a fall. Stock has never wrestled before, and is finding her new venture to be quite exciting.

“I decided to do it because I thought it would be a lot of fun and a place to make new friends. The hardest part is applying what you know in practice in a match because it’s a completely different head space.”

For the first time ever in Indiana, a high school wrestling match had halftime and halftime entertainment.

In Bubble Bump ball competition, the Arabian girls wrestling defeated the Arabian diving team, while the Arabian baseball team defeated the Arabian track and field team.

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