Strong Start Doesn’t Sustain Fire Wrestling

LAKELAND, Fla.—Despite winning three thrilling matches in the first four bouts, the Southeastern wrestling team was unable to finish the upset of seventh-ranked Life, dropping the dual 27-16.
Jaaziel Santana was down 8-1 at the end of the first period at 125, but came up with an escape to start the second and a takedown to get within five. The junior scored seven points in the third, including four nearfall points to score an 11-9 decision to improve to 15-3 on the season.
Ethan Owen trailed 8-6 and was down riding time with just over 30 seconds left in the match, but was able to pin No. 20 David Chase Zemenak with his back to his opponent to get the Fire six team points.
No. 13 Jake Watters defeated No. 17 Mason Calvert 3-0 to give the Fire a 12-6 lead in the match. The sophomore is now 13-3 on the year, ranking second behind Santana on the team in win percentage.
Coming out of the intermission with a 12-9 lead, Stephen Kelle gave the Fire a chance to be optimistic, getting two late takedowns against No. 13 Osvani Ley to force sudden victory where Ley came away with a takedown to win.
“We wrestled tough and we were in pretty good shape and fought until the end,” said coach Javier Maldonado.
Luis Peguero won his sixth match of the season, winning by major decision at 197 over Alex Bordeau.
The Fire will be in action again next Saturday at the Cumberland Open.
No. 7 Life 27, No. 13 Southeastern 16
125: Jaaziel Santana (SOEA) over Randy McCray Jr. (LIUN) (Dec 11-9)
133: Lucas Patterson (LIUN) over Xavier Williamson (SOEA) (Fall 4:07)
141: Ethan Owen (SOEA) over David Chase Zemenak (LIUN) (Fall 6:26)
149: Jake Watters (SOEA) over Mason Calvert (LIUN) (Dec 3-0)
157: Nosomy Pozo (LIUN) over Dylan Chatterton (SOEA) (Dec 9-4)
165: Osvani Ley (LIUN) over Stephen Kelle (SOEA) (SV-1 10-8)
174: Phillip McBride (LIUN) over (SOEA) (For.)
184: Lucius Van Rensburg (LIUN) over Zechariah Rives (SOEA) (Fall 2:04)
197: Luis Peguero (SOEA) over Alex Bordeau (LIUN) (MD 9-1)
285: Bradon Hill (LIUN) over Ben Cruz (SOEA) (Dec 5-1)