The wrestling season can be a grind and Wednesday host Widefield topped Sand Creek 44-21 in a matchup of teams fighting not to be ground up in the closing weeks.

Widefield was the better team, winning five of eight contested matches, including three close decisions.

The Scorpions managed two pins, but were handicapped by injury and eligibility issues. Frustration, with performance and the questionable calls by the referee, was the overriding feeling for both coaches.

“We’re a lot better than we showed tonight, no doubt,” Scorpions coach Troy Bonewell said, struggling for words afterward. “The kids were just not in the mode.”

Gladiators standouts Brandon Mansfield, No. 10 in Class 4A at 145 pounds in Tim Yount’s On The Mat rankings, and No. 16 Joey Trujillo won close decisions that probably shouldn’t have been so close. Questionable calls by the referee affected both matches.

Mansfield, wrestling at 152, got the winning points on a dubious illegal hold call in the third period for a 6-5 decision. Trujillo was forced to win a 13-11 decision in overtime after a disputed stalling call tied the score at the end of the third.

“I’m happy we got the win,” Foltz said. “The score is very deceiving. I see the ones that got away. I see what we’re not doing. I don’t have an answer. But no excuses. We’ll keep plugging away and trying to get better.”

There were some bright spots on both sides.

Gladiators junior Marshae Blake started the dual off on the right foot with a 26-10 technical fall over Austin Sherrill at 145. Blake used nine takedowns to secure the bulk of his points

“I’ve been working on my legs a lot developing speed with my takedowns,” Blake said. “I just try to do what I can to try to help my team.”

Sand Creek fifth-ranked heavyweight Tuli Laulu picked up a pin for the Scorpions’ first points, sticking Grayson Parton in 5 minutes, 21 seconds. Jayce Nelson picked up another fall for the Scorpions at 120. Nelson worked quickly on his feet for three takedowns before getting the pin with 1 second left in the first period.

At 126, Widefield’s AJ Robb, ranked seventh at 120, moved up for a rematch against No. 15 Darrien Sutton, who beat Robb in a tournament four days earlier. This time Robb won a methodical 5-2 decision. He’ll drop back down to 120, where he feels stronger, for regionals and hopefully state after testing the waters at the higher weight.

“It’s just revenge, just to know that I can beat him,” Robb said. “It gives me a good confidence boost. It gives me confidence to know that I can win at either weight. I’ll be ready to go when it comes to regionals and state.”

Widefield’s Mason Durfey, top, on his way to pinning Sand Creek’s Christian Roybal in a 106-pound match Wednesday at Widefield High School. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Kevin Kreck

Widefield’s Marshae Blake, top, wrestles Sand Creek’s Austin Sherril on his way to winning a 145-pound match Wednesday at Widefield High School. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Kevin Kreck