Memorable home finale

January 31, 2011

Person High School


The Person Rockets entered Wednesday's Senior Night duals wrestling meet against the Riverside Pirates not having competed in almost three weeks.
But judging from Person's performance against the Priates in Wednesday's PAC-6 battle at Rockets Gymnasuim, the layoff appeared to do the home team a lot of good, as the Rockets scored the first 24 points on their way to a surprising 49-26 victory over the Priates.
It was Person's first ever duals win over storied Riverside, which has been a perennial PAC-6 title contender and has won three state championships in its history.
A rousing ovation by the home crowd when the Rockets hit the floor for pre-meet warmups seemed to signify that this was going to be a special night, and that's how it turned out.
"Our seniors have been great for us all year but the freshmen and first-year wrestlers have really stepped up and helped us win this meet," said Person head coach Mark Ltichfield Jr. "They're starting to understand what I want form them and what I expect from them, both on the mat and with their leadership."
It certainly went well for the three senior honorees on Wednesday, although Gerald Pollard had to be disappointed that he was forced to settle for a forfeit win when he would rather have collected it on the mat in the 140-pound category. Pollard did, however, get a chance to wrestle on Wednesday when he scored a win in an exhibition contest.
James Montoya made quick work of Riverside's Marmedew Kelleh by pinning him 55 seconds into round one of the 125-pound bout, and heavyweight Collin Campbell continued his lengthly unbeaten streak (now 59 straight wins without a defeat) by winning an 8-2 decision over Shaquen Grant. Though, for a change , Campell was pushed hard in his win.
Grant proved to be a worthy opponent and did something very few others have been able to accomplish by going the distance (and even scoring) against the dominant, defending Division 4A state champion.
Montoya upped his season record to 18-4 with his triumph. Campbell went to 22-0 on the season, and Pollard improved to 20-3.
All three seniors have eclipsed the 100-win mark for their career.
To read more on the Rocket victory see The Courier=Times from Saturday, January 29.