Gallatin varsity wrestlers are itching to get healthy as they work their way through a tough opening schedule to the 2007-08 season. The Bulldogs won six contested matches against Trenton Tuesday night, but came up short as a team, 39-37, when it was all said and done.
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Levi Michener, wrestling at 119, and Dale Curtis, wrestling at 160, each won their second matches of the young season. Other winners for Gallatin on Tuesday were Terrill Wood (112) by forfeit, Matt Atkinson (145), Jacob Smith (171), Bradley Jones (189) and Joe Lagodny (Hwt.)
The Bulldogs took on the #4 (Class 1) Marceline Tigers last Thursday at home. The Tigers, with nine returning state qualifiers, five state medalists, two state finalists and numerous freshmen who were multiple time USA wrestling medalists, dominated with nine wins in 11 contested matches.
Michener, last season’s Class 1 third-place finisher in the 103-pound weight class, pinned Brett Wellman for his first victory of the season. Dale Curtis captured a win for the Bulldogs with a 7-5 decision over Nick McCollum.
Bulldog coach Phillip Limb looked at the first meet as a gauge as to what his squad needs to work on.
"I think the biggest thing we need to work on is conditioning," he said. "The kids know it, I know it, and it is something that I think they understand now that we have started the season," he added. "It is tough starting out against the #4 ranked team in the state, but at least the kids can see what top programs look like and understand that they are competing and conditioning year around for this sport."