Wrestling team takes Eaton Rapids in CAAC opener

The wrestling team was down by ten points to Eaton Rapids with three of their best wrestlers left.  Coach Hoffman couldn't have asked for a better scenario.
"We had two captains and one of my best upper classman left to wrestle and were down by 10.  It was going to be tough but I liked my chances with those three studs left to wrestle," Hoffman said.
Team captain Tanner Jewell led the charge and cut the deficit to 7 with a 4-0 decision over Blaine Milheim of Eaton Rapids.  Coach Hoffman had bumped Blayne Kerstetter and Tyler Ebersole each up a weight class to make room for Jewell.  Kerstetter couldn't quite get the fall in the second period and hung on to an 8-2 victory, cutting the deficit to four points.  Ebersole needed a 15 point decision or a pin for the panthers to get the win.  Ebersole was up 4-2 in the second period when he locked up a cradle, his signature move, and the panther's won the dual 36-34 to a raucous crowd at Eaton Rapids High School.
"When Ebersole put his opponent on his back everybody knew it was over.  It was just a matter of time," Hoffman said.
Aaron White started Western off with a victory followed by a pin from captain, Trent Hullett to get the panthers rolling 9-0.  Other winners for Western were Brady Hoffman(215 lbs), Brock Hoffman(103 lbs), and Spencer Plate(112 lbs.)