By Cort Reynolds
RAWSON__The Ada High School wrestling team opened its 2023-24 season with a strong showing at the annual six-team Cory-Rawson Duals Saturday.
Ada senior Clayton McClain was named the MVP of the event after going undefeated at 150 lbs. with five wins.
The Bulldogs finished third as a team with a 3-2 dual match record. Archbold ended up first at 5-0, while Columbus Grove finished second at 4-1.
“Clayton's match against Columbus Grove was one of the best matches he has wrestled,” said Ada head coach Eric Perkins. “He fell behind early against a returning state alternate; he bumped up a weight to wrestle and really controlled the rest of the match.
“He was aggressive but smart and took advantage of nearly every opportunity to score.”
Ada wrestlers earning their first varsity win (excluding forfeits) included Kale Pedersen, Cobe Harris and Layne Simon. Pedersen is 3-2.
“Kale wrestled really well today,” said Perkins. “He has been working really hard early in the year and taken a huge step forward as he enters his freshman season. He earned a couple really important wins for us today.”
Freshman Wyatt Fisher is 2-3 on the season.
“Wyatt had some moments where he looked really good, but just wasn't able to get his first win,” said Perkins. “He is really close and once he gets some more experience, the wins will come for him.”
The Simon brothers joined forces for a good 8-2 combined start. Junior Liam Vieira also returned to the team and did well at 4-1.
“Liam and Landon are returning letterwinners who came out late this year so they're still getting into wrestling shape,” noted the coach. “Both those guys were willing to jump in head first and give their best for the team and gave us some important leadership to go along with some quality wins.”
Sophomore Silas Riblet did well at the light weight divisions.
“Silas is our other returning district qualifier from last year,” Perkins noted. “He is our anchor for our lighter weight guys. He gives his best effort all the time and is so much more comfortable now with a year of experience under his belt.”
Ada beat Bath 43-42 in a tiebreaker at Cory.
Bulldog winners vs. the Wildcats were Riblet by forfeit at 106 lbs.; Liam Vieira by pin (1:34) at 126; Logan Jolliff (forfeit, 132); Brady Sloan by forfeit (144); McClain by forfeit (150); Landon Simon by pin (1:13) at 190; and Colton Cole by forfeit (215).
The Bulldogs whipped McComb, 54-12.
Riblet, Trevor McGue (138), Vieira, Sloan, Chase Caldwell (175), Simon and Cole won by forfeit vs. the short-handed Panthers. McClain won by pin at 1:52. Josh Arnett also won at 157 lbs. by pin at 45 seconds.
Ada also beat Arcadia 39-24, and downed Cory 40-24. Archbold beat the Bulldogs 54-18, and Grove defeated Ada 60-21.
McClain is 5-0 on the season with three pins. Riblet (two pins) is 4-1. Landon Simon is also 4-1 with three pins. Layne Simon is 4-1 with a pair of pins. Vieira is also 4-1 with two pins.
Sophomore Cobe Harris is 3-1 with a pin.
Ada wrestles at the Lincolnview Invitational next Saturday, December 16 at 9 a.m.
