Jones wins 100th match, Mueller breaks pin record

By RYAN RICHTER

Sports writer

Many opponents have fell victim to the Hillsboro High School wrestling team this season, however it was an opponent off the mat last week that was giving Hillsboro its share of problems.

A rash of illnesses swept over the Trojans, forcing many to miss practice and give coaches Scott O’Hare and Doug Bowman reason to be concerned.

The Trojans were able to lay their coaches’ worries to rest Saturday, rolling up a perfect 5-0 record at the Southeast of Saline dual at Gypsum.

Hillsboro ripped Republic County in the first dual, 64-6, topped Russell, 36-30, Remington, 54-15, SES, 41-32, and Bennington, 54-16, for its fourth consecutive win at SES.

“Obviously, I am happy for the guys for winning the team title,” O’Hare said. “More importantly, I am pleased with the way the guys competed and wrestled, even after the week of sickness they have battled through.”

Robby McClelland, Nick Mueller, and Tyler Jones all finished the day unbeaten at 5-0.

Brett Mueller, Gabe Anderson, and John Hein closed out the tournament at 4-1, while the quartet of Darren Mueller, Matt Yoder, Aaron Bina, and Dylan Delk went 3-2.

Jared King also was in action, going 2-3 on the day.

Former 2002 standout Ronnie Davis’ 65 pins in a career has been the single greatest achievement for Hillsboro wrestling.

Nick Mueller tied Davis’ mark Thursday night and broke the record Saturday to run it to 67.

Jones also picked up his 100th victory during his career.

Hein’s sole loss came wrestling in the 215-pound class, not in his normal 189-class.

The Trojans’ junior varsity team was competing in Gypsum, with all six members winning their matches.

Jonathan King was 3-0, Justin King 2-0, and the trio of Dimitri McClelland, Dakota Peterson, and Evan Just all won one match.

“Monday through Wednesday, we did a lot more individualized work with those that were there,” O’Hare said. “Finally, on Friday, we were able to work on a few things that Coach Bowman and I thought we were struggling with as a team.

“The guys responded to it pretty well as we seemed more in control in the matches and the guys did a much better job of forcing the action instead of just waiting for something to open up.”

The Trojans wrap up the dual portion of their schedule Thursday, traveling to Haven to meet the Wildcats and the Lyons Lions.

Hillsboro then gets one last tune-up for regionals Saturday at the Remington Invitational meet with action beginning at 9 a.m.

“The guys have made some good adjustments the past couple weeks that are starting to pay off,” said O’Hare. “If we continue to build on this and work on a few other areas of concern, we should compete very well down the stretch.”