Smyrna High wrestlers take down Hodgson, 46-30

The Smyrna High wrestlers have been competing at the Division I level for three years now, but back when the Eagles were in Division II, they ran into Hodgson Vo-Tech in the state duals on an almost annual basis.

From 1993 to 2007, the two programs clashed in the state dual meet tournament 11 times, including seven times in the Division II state finals.

So it seemed like old times again when Smyrna and Hodgson squared off in a non-conference match on Jan. 22 in the Smyrna High gymnasium.

The Eagles fell behind 21-12 in the early going, but won six of the final eight matches and pulled away for a 46-30 win.

In the night’s second bout, Smyrna’s Robbie McKeldin (119) energized the home crowd by pinning his opponent in 19 seconds.

Hodgson won the next three matches, though, and the Eagles needed to answer back.

At the suggestion of J.V. coach Kent Robinson, head coach Kurt Howell made a late decision to slip freshman Zach Boyles into the lineup at 140. The move paid off as Boyles won by pin.

From there, Smyrna’s strength in the middleweights shined through. The Eagles took the lead after Cody Broomall (145) registered a pin, and Cody Carbine (152) extended that lead by winning a major decision.

Later, Kenny Boyles (171) and Ryan Rife (189) gave Smyrna back-to-back pins. Heavyweight Barry Reece put the exclamation point on the Eagles’ win by pinning his man with four seconds remaining on the first period clock.

“It was a nice Friday night match – a lot of excitement, a lot of pins,” said coach Howell after the match. “It’s good to see Hodgson again. They’re always tough.”

Smyrna 46, Hodgson 30
Jan. 22 at Smyrna
103 – Trujillo (H) pinned Cody Cummings, 2:45
112 – Spencer Rhoades (S) won by forfeit
119 – Robbie McKeldin (S) pinned S. Davis, 0:19
125 – B. Davis (H) pinned Brandon Poffenberger, 3:31
130 – Witte (H) pinned Zach Carbine, 3:43
135 – Heal (H) dec. David Letterman, 5-1
140 – Zach Boyles (S) pinned Phelan, 2:27
145 – Cody Broomall (S) pinned Smith, 1:49
152 – Cody Carbine (S) maj. dec. McGinley, 24-11
160 – Turner (H) dec. Matt Shelar, 4-3
171 – Kenny Boyles (S) pinned Bowser, 3:10
189 – Ryan Rife (S) pinned Shafferman, 1:53
215 – Mato (H) pinned Anthony Ruggiero, 2:48
285 – Barry Reece (S) pinned Kush, 1:56

Wrestlers to visit St. Mark’s Thursday

On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Smyrna High wrestlers will head upstate to face defending state champ St. Mark’s. Amateur Wrestling News had the Spartans ranked No. 10 in the nation in its Jan. 18 Prep 40 rankings.

On Jan. 29, the Eagles are scheduled to participate in a tri-meet in Pennsylvania.