The Batesville Bulldogs traveled to East Central high school to participate in the annual EIAC wrestling meet. Due to many injuries and forfeits the Bulldogs were only able to send eight wrestlers to participate in the fourteen weight classes. This amount of forfeits given up by Batesville made it a challenge to score team points throughout the day. Despite the lack of numbers for the Bulldogs, the individual wrestlers battled through the tough competition which will help them get ready for the Sectionals just one week away.
Freshman JT Linkel led the team finishing in 4th place in the 132 lb class. JT started his day by beating his Rushville opponent by pin in the first period which gave him a huge amount of confidence. The next opponent was last year’s 132 lb conference champion Stevie Browning of Franklin County. Browning was able to use experience to edge out JT by a score of 5-1 sending Linkel to the consolation brackets. Showing his determination, Linkel bounced back beating his Connersville opponent in the third period by a pin setting him up for a 3rd and 4th place match. Linkel’s final match of the day faced him off against a tough Greensburg opponent. The match ended in a 9-1 decision with Greensburg on top giving JT a 4th place finish.
unior Jackson Wooldridge in the 138 lb class had a good showing for the Bulldogs as well. The Batesville Junior finished the day in 5th place and ended his day with a nice pin against a tough Greensburg opponent.
Other placers for the Batesville include a pair of freshman, Conner Batchelor (145 lb class) and Max Fouth (285 lb class) both ended in 6th place. Jonah Chase, Chris Schene, Nick Schneider, and Drew Garbarini also participated in the meet gaining some valuable experience.
Team results: 1st – Franklin County, 2nd – Lawrenceburg, 3rd – East Central, 4th – South Dearborn, 5th – Greensburg, 6th – Rushville, 7th – Connersville, 8th – Batesville.
Courtesy of Bulldogs Coach Chris Deal.