by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Sometimes, the best way to re-energize a team is to get out of a comfort zone.

The Streetsboro wrestling team did just that Jan. 30 when it traveled to Bay Village. It came home with one of its best dual-meet performances of the year.

Despite giving starters Cory Stainbrook and Mike Formick the night off, Streetsboro came away with a 42-31 win over Bay.

The Rockets record improved to 3-3 overall 2-2 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division.

“They just wanted to have it as a dual meet,” said Rockets head coach Rick Charlton. “It was just a nice meet for us. We were able to get a couple of guys get some rest for the PTC meet.

“The guys that are behind them have been working hard in the room and they were able to get some varsity mat time.”

In particular, Charlton said he wanted to get some mat time for 103-pounder Ty Marlin and 112-pounder Steve Scott.

“They were a little overmatched, but we were able to get other guys in the upper weights who wrestled well,” Charlton said.

Streetsboro won eight of the 14 matches, but the difference was the Rockets got six pins on the night.

At 119 pounds, Zack Baratko scored a 7-0 win to get Streetsboro on the board.

The Rockets then took the lead, thanks to four straight pins from 125-pounder Drew Kluchurosky (1 minute, 41 seconds), 130-pounder Anthony Skulina (3:06), 135-pounder Vinny Valenti (3:22) and 140-pounder Jeremy Braynard (3:04)

At 152 pounds, Rubin Martinez scored a 14-6 decision.

Sophomore Chris Ashburn moved up to 189 pounds and clinched the match with a pin in 34 seconds. Heavyweight Jason Cook closed the match with a pin in 27 seconds.

“Bay’s a younger team,” Charlton said. “They had some good guys that were able to get some good matches in against. It was a good trip for us.”

Streetsboro has one more dual meet to get through before the Portage Trail Conference Tournament. The Rockets are scheduled travel to Waterloo for a County Division showdown. First match is set for 5 p.m.

If Waterloo wins, the Vikings can score their first division title in school history, though Charlton said he would love for his team to play spoiler.

“We’re going in there to wrestle hard and to win,” Charlton said. “Even though we’re in third place right now, we don’t think it would be that much of an upset if we wrestle up to our potential.”

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3913