By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
AMHERST - In wrestling, it's tough to beat experience.
New Amherst High School coach Steve Camber found that out the hard way, as the Falcons fell to Tomahawk 49-13 in their season opener Tuesday.
The Hatchets, with a lineup filled with upperclassmen, dominated the lower weights and won the first seven matches. Once the Falcons got to their upperclassmen, Amherst took four straight.
"I can't complain about anything tonight," Camber said. "They are more experienced. They have a lot of upperclassmen. They have seniors and juniors who are expected to go to state."
Trailing 37-0, the Falcons got on the scoreboard at 145 pounds, thanks to junior Randy Ward. Ward rallied from a 5-4 third period deficit to top Tomahawk junior Ben Dalgle 7-6.
Ward started the final period in the down position and quickly escaped to tie the match. Neither wrestler could gain control until Ward spun around Dalgle with about 20 seconds left and scored a takedown for a 7-5 advantage. Dalgle then escaped with five seconds remaining but it was too late.
Amherst's Nate Peplinski (152) dominated his opponent, senior Ben Cahn, 14-4. With the match tied at 4-4 in the second period, Peplinski got two points on a reversal and then received three points for a near fall to take a 9-4 lead.
At 160, senior Dan Ehr overcame a 3-2 third period deficit and disposed of Chris Musson 8-3. Joe Dambroski kept Amherst's winning streak going with a 12-6 victory at 171 over Isaac Jaecks.
Tomahawk junior Jed Lechleitner pinned Falcon freshman Shane Rzentkowski at 189 in 42 seconds and the Hatchets received a forfeit at 275 after Amherst's Ben Ostrowski weighed-in below the heavyweight class limit.
The Hatchets had their way in the lower weights, getting pins in five of seven matches. Camber said freshman Alan Bohm (119) wrestled well in his 14-10 loss to senior Ed Raasch.