The 14th-seeded Toms River South High School wrestling team came tantalizingly close to a major upset in the pre-quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament on Thursday, tying third-seeded Wall at the completion of all matches but losing after the Crimson Knights were awarded a single tie-breaking point. Although both teams had three pins, Wall earned the team victory under the tie-breaking criteria by also having one victory by forfeit.
After the Indians’ Reddy Suarez pinned Finnian Lister at 182 pounds, Wall entered the final bout trailing 33-27. They needed a pin to win and they got it as Matt McKenzie pinned Josh Mendez at 195 pounds to even the team point totals at 33 and earn Wall the victory.
Suarez, Riley Cheong and Dylan Parks had pins for the Indians. Cole Corrigan earned a 21-3 technical fall against Alexander Cortez at 138 pounds and Timothy Yuro won a 10-2 major decision over Theodore McGowan at 106 pounds for Toms River South. The Indians also won two matches by decision.
McKenzie, Brett Donner and Shane Davis had pins for the Crimson Knights. Robert Kanniard won by forfeit at 145 pounds and Wall won three bouts by decision.