For those who like drama, intrigue, and pressure, the Ross M. Lynn Arena was the place to be last Saturday as MUS hosted the 2002 Region Dual Wrestling Tournament. For the top-two finishers in the tournament, a trip to the state duals in Clarksville, Tennessee, awaited. For all else, an early spring break lay in store.
The Owl squad, led by Coaches Harrison and Simpson, was determined to be one of those two teams. They knew that if they could take care of Saint Benedict early, the match with Briarcrest would be for a state berth.
After defeating the Eagles without problem, MUS got off to a bad start in their first three individual matches against the Saints. Three straight match losses, including two pins, had the Owls down 16-0, and Briarcrest was excited. Yet MUS put together a seven-match winning streak to take a seemingly insurmountable 38-16 lead. Noah Randall ended the Saints' streak as he pinned his opponent, and then forfeit wins by Joey Friend and Tom Sampson, point wins by Allen Humphreys and Wes Phillips, and pins by Matt Cohen and Nelson Rainey gave MUS the 22-point lead with four matches remaining.
However, the unthinkable occurred. The Owls lost their last four matches--three by pins--as Briarcrest tied the team score at 38 as the match ended. After going to the fourth tiebreaker-- technical falls--the Owls pulled off the victory and got the state berth.
Even after the emotional win over the Saints, MUS still had the opportunity to win the region outright as they took on CBHS. After losing to the Wave 70-7 earlier in the regular season, the Owls were hoping the Brothers were overlooking them. Though MUS was more competitive, CBHS won the region title with a 66-12 victory. A Preston Blankenship pin victory followed by a forfeit in the unlimited division accounted for the Owls' points.
MUS now advances to the state duals and will face Baylor this Saturday in Clarksville. After that match they take on Father Ryan for the opportunity to advance. Regardless of the outcome, a second-straight state berth gives this program some momentum for the future.