HEGINS — So far this season, Tri-Valley has a second-place finish at the Top Hat Tournament and three dual-meet wins.
The Bulldogs won just four duals all of last season.
And it isn’t even Christmas yet.
“We have big goals for this year, and they’re working toward them,’’ Tri-Valley co-head coach Ty Rothermel said.
Juggling their lineup significantly, the Dawgs bumped up and knocked off rival Williams Valley 40-27 on Saturday night before a large crowd in the Tri-Valley gym.
Tri-Valley (3-0) entered the non-league clash with a lot of motivation. Tops on the list: Williams Valley won last season’s meeting 33-32.
Enthusiasm and intensity spilled over from both sides
with wrestlers huddling together, shouting encouragement or a technique to try, then springing to their feet after a teammate’s win.
“We have a tight-knit team. You could see it tonight,’’ Rothermel said. “I think, definitely, as far as team support, this was probably one of the most involved matches in our 12 years (of coaching). It ranks right up there.
“They got beat by (Williams Valley) last year, and they’re right over the mountain,’’ he added. “There wasn’t a whole lot that needed to be said prior to the match.’’
Despite all that, Williams Valley (1-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead after five weights. Ian Minnich started the night with a 77-second fall at 285 pounds. At 120, Dagan Dickinson added a fall, and at 126, Alex Raho used a takedown and three back points to stop Kyle Stephen 7-4.
Devon Rabuck (195) added a pin, but that’s all the Vikings got over the final nine weights.
“We competed great,’’ Williams Valley coach Jason Chamberlain said. “They jockeyed around on us a little bit. ... It’s a great match. We’ve got to work a little bit in the middle(weights) to fill the weight classes, but other than that, everybody wrestled well.’’
Tri-Valley decided to move several of its wrestlers up two weights over their tournament weights. It can be risky to give up eight pounds or more, but the Dawgs got the matchups they wanted.
Caleb Bordner (6-1), Chase Schaeffer (7-0), Danny Scheib (6-1) and Dawson Schwalm earned falls during Tri-Valley’s decisive, seven-bout run. Schwalm, a freshman, won in his varsity debut with a tight armbar.
“(Coach) Rothermel tells us to suck it up and just do it,’’ senior Hunter Harner said of bumping up. “We know we have to do it if we want to win, so we do it for the team.’’
Mixing in some Minersville wrestlers as part of a co-op agreement, the Dawgs have 15 wrestlers this season, compared to 10 or less at times a year ago. That showed up at 160, where Shykir Bethea notched four takedowns in a 10-5 decision over Travis Martin.
“It’s very nice not going into a dual meet knowing that you’re definitely giving up 30 points or 24 points (on forfeits),’’ Rothermel said. “One of the big things is it helps morale because you enter a dual meet expecting to win, not hoping to win.’’
Having a wrestler at 160 enabled seniors Anthony Snyder and Harner to move to 170 and 182, respectively, and take some sting out of a strong part of Williams Valley’s lineup.
Snyder (7-0) came on strong late to defeat Matt Miller 7-5. Three back points on armbars and a third-period takedown made the difference.
Harner (7-2) then racked up seven takedowns in a 14-5 major decision over talented freshman Dylan Rabuck. Tri-Valley’s added depth meant Snyder and Harner didn’t have to take extreme chances to go for bonus points.
“It’s awesome,’’ Harner said. “Out here we’re like brothers. In the (practice) room, we’re like brothers. We’re always pushing each other (to improve).
“That feels really nice, too,’’ he added of the improved depth. “We don’t have to go out there and try to get pins all the time.’’
Meet Summary
Tri-Valley 40, Williams Valley 27
285 — Minnich (WV) pinned Renninger, 1:17; 106 — No bout; 113 — Girard (WV) won by forfeit; 120 — Dickinson (WV) pinned Boltz, 3:26; 126 — Raho (WV) dec. Stephen, 7-4; 132 — Bordner (TV) pinned Rebuck, 3:44; 138 — Hepler (TV) won by forfeit; 145 — Schaeffer (TV) pinned Chamberlain, :46; 152 — Schwalm (TV) pinned Ulsh, 1:37; 160 — Bethea (TV) dec. Martin, 10-5; 170 — Snyder (TV) dec. Martin, 7-5; 182 — Harner (TV) maj. dec. Dy. Rabuck, 14-5; 195 — De. Rabuck (WV) pinned Chacon, 3:30; 220 — Scheib (TV) pinned Shoop, 2:48
JV Score: None