High School Wrestling:
Vikings Turn Things Around Against Highland

Wednesday, January 19, 2000

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

When the Eastern Vikings visited Highland High School to participate in an Olympic Conference wrestling match, the stands were filled with fans anticipating a well-fought contest. The intensity was high as both teams entered the mat. The score was tied at eighteen after the 145-pound match, but Eastern's Greg Wrenn pinned Brent Tyson in the 215-pound match to seal the victory. The Vikings (7-1) won the match 36-24 and remain ahead of Highland (7-2) in the American Division.

The meet between two excellent wrestling schools started off with Highland's T.J. Mekissiek in control against Mitchell Brown. Things turned around when Brown got Eastern six points when he pinned Mekissiek with ten seconds remaining in the second period. The Vikings first eighteen points were from Brown, Clinton Hicks and Jordan Hicks. Clinton Hicks pinned Jason Mack in the 119-pound match and Jordan Hicks won by forfeit to take an 18-9 lead after the 135-pound match.

Things heated up in the next match when Mike Koehl (Vikings) went up against Matt Rosano (Tartans). After a deadlock first period, Koehl hit Rosano with a hard head slap that sent the Highland crowd and coaches out of their seats and upset. Looking for some type of disqualification, the Eastern bench was trying to calm Koehl. Things intensified and the home crowd got what they were looking for, a disqualification. This resulted in Highland gaining the momentum and tied the match at 18 all when Adam O'Lano received a 4-2 decision over Eastern's John White in the 145-pound match.

Now with a three-point lead, Eastern started to pull away when Tony Rahil pinned Jake Harris with 26 seconds remaining in the second period. Highland wouldn't go away when Keith O'Donnell and Jerry Graham each received three points to make the score 27-24 with just two matches remaining. Next were the crowd's favorites Brent Tyson (Highland) and Greg Wrenn (Eastern) squaring off in the 215-pound match. Wrenn would disappoint the Highland crowd anticipating a victory when Wrenn pinned Tyson to put the match away.

Photos by Art Redd