Indians wrestlers remain unbeaten in GMC by routing Hamilton, 68-6

This doesn't normally happen in the hotly contested border rivalry wrestling dual between Menomonee Falls and Sussex Hamilton,

But after the stunning eight-pin effort the Indians had in burying the Chargers, 68-6, on Jan. 10, Falls coach Jim McMahon will take it and then some, especially before the raucous and large crowd that filled his school's gym.

"It was a little strange," he said, "but our kids wrestled very well and we're in a good cycle right now. We're just better than they are at this point. We have a still young but experienced team. I tell you though, I'm always nervous wrestling Hamilton. They always get fired up and it always gets loud."

The victory kept the Indians unbeaten in Greater Metro Conference duals at 4-0. They have a critical match at league power West Allis Central (3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Falls beat the Bulldogs handily at the Northern Exposure Duals in Merrill a few weeks ago, but McMahon said that Central has a different lineup now and that will make it interesting.

Then on Friday, Falls will be at the Homestead Highlander Invitational.

Falls will close the GMC dual meet season at home on Jan. 24 against West Allis Hale, which is currently unbeaten in league duals including a victory over Central.

"We're still going to be making some adjustments to our lineup," McMahon said, "because we have some good kids on junior varsity and we need to get them experience. For these upcoming duals, it's going to be all about matchups."

Which went almost entirely the Indians' way against Hamilton, in what McMahon called a "50/50 match", Falls' Ben Bonesho turned in a surprising pin at 113 pounds to open the dual. And then, in what McMahon felt was the pivotal match of the night, highly regarded Jerrot Holz, who had to miss some recent events because of injuries, came back with a vengeance and scored a strong major decision at 120.

Those were the first two of six wins in a row for Falls, as Jerrot's brother, 2012 state qualifier Bill Holz, turned in a major decision of his own at 126, while Casey Crangle at 132 and Austin Meyers at 138 both recorded pins.

At 145, Sam Schwabenlander finished off the streak by rallying to claim a decision.

After Falls' only loss of the night at 152, the Indians then swept the rest of the matches as Alex Koch at 160, Jake Fuiten at 170 and Ayoola Olapo at 182 all recorded pins, while Nick Umbs claimed a heartily cheered decision at 195.

"He's a kid who really gives it all he's got," McMahon said of Umbs.

After Matt Alili claimed a forfeit at 220, Trayvon Handy earned a second period pin after fighting to get off his back at 285. Aaron Daly closed out the night at 106 by continuing his hot streak with one last pin.

McMahon didn't know what to be more impressed with, the victory or the crowd.

"The gym was just packed," he said. "It was Junior Indians night and middle school night. I really haven't seen the place that crowded in a long, long time."