WILLITS — Anthony Castaldo”s 4-3 decision over Kelseyville”s Adryan Segura at 135 pounds highlighted the Middletown Mustangs” 43-27 victory over the Knights during a Coastal Mountain Conference tri-team wrestling meet Wednesday in Willits.
“Things went pretty well for us,” Middletown coach Troy Brierly said of his team”s split decision — the Mustangs also lost to Willits 44-33.
Middletown gave up 18 points in forfeits in both matches.
Segura had a 2-0 lead against Castaldo in the second period when Castaldo scored a reversal and takedown to go up 4-2. Segura closed to 4-3 with an escape point with 30 seconds left in the third period.
“He did a great job,” Brierly said of Castaldo.
“That was a tough loss,” Kelseyville coach Rob Brown said. “He”s just a freshman and he puts way too much pressure on himself to win. He”s a real good wrestler.”
Ryan Fontenot supplied the Mustangs with another big win, moving up to 145 pounds to pin Aaron Copsey in the second round.
Kelseyville”s Thomas Esberg defeated Jarrod Rudy 14-8 at 140 pounds, avenging a loss to Rudy by pin earlier this season.
The Knights picked up another win at 215 pounds where Jordan Brown pinned his opponent in the first round.
“He wrestled real well,” Brown said.
Against Willits, Middletown”s Nick Allen won his first high school match with a first-round pin at 135 pounds, and Brandon Earl won by second-round pin at 119 pounds.
Another Mid-dletown standout, according to Brierly, was Taylor Maxie, who won by pin at 160 pounds against Kelseyville and Willits.
Maxie is legally deaf, according to Brierly. “I have to pound on the mat to get his attention,” Brierly said.
Kelseyville also lost to Willits 48-30, forfeiting three weight classes.
Highlights for the Knights were Jacob Martinek”s first-round pin at 103 pounds and Jeff Ponce”s 12-7 decision over Jose Arrequin at 112 pounds. Ponce was wrestling up a weight class and giving up several pounds to Arrequin, according to Brown.
“It was a really good match and a big upset,” Brown said.
Segura also bounced back after his loss to Middletown to win 10-1 at 135 pounds.
Esberg also wrestled well at 140 pounds, according to Brown, before losing by pin.
Middletown and Kelseyville won”t return to action until the CMC Championships on Feb. 20 in Lower Lake.
