Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

LEBANON - Western Boone sophomore Jacob Smith wasn't happy with the way his conference tournament went on Saturday. Seeded second at 190 pounds, Smith placed fourth in the weight class, losing two close matches along the way. On Thursday night, he found himself in another big situation, on the mat for the final match of the day against Lebanon, with the Stars clinging to a 31-30 team lead. This time, Smith delivered, getting a come-from-behind pin over Lebanon's Mason Crew to secure the team victory for the Stars. "He has been looking forward to this match all week, looking to get some revenge from conference (when Crew beat him 10-6 in the semifinals)," Western Boone head coach Wes Mikesell said. "Being down four, getting a pin to clinch the win, that was huge for him." It was a thrilling ending to a thrilling match in a close, competitive dual. Smith got a takedown and a two nearfall points to start the match, but Crew got an immediate reversal and put Smith on his back to take a 5-4 lead, nearly getting a pin that would have given the Tigers a win. The lead grew to 6-4 and then 8-4 by the end of the second period. Smith started the third period on top, and got the turn and pin to win the match. "We have focusing a lot on keeping our cool and continuing to wrestle our matches," Mikesell said. "He was able to do that, even when he was behind, and that's what won him the match tonight." It was a perfect ending for Western Boone in their final dual of the year. Mikesell said that the way the team competed, even in the matches they lost, is something they can build on during their preparations for the sectional. "I am very proud of the way we came out and performed tonight," he said. "The effort was definitely there, and we always tell them, if you put in the effort, good things will happen. It did tonight." It was a tough ending for Lebanon for the second-straight event. Saturday at the conference tournament, the Tigers placed second by just one point when the title wasn't decided until the final weight class. Thursday, they were in another close battle and gave themselves a chance late, just fell a little short. "Both teams were kind of limping into today with injury and illness," Lebanon head coach Jacob King said. "We are both kind of in the same spot. They showed up tonight and our guys kind of struggled in some of those close matches. Hats off to Western Boone." Lebanon won by forfeit at 220, before Western Boone's Josh Dickey tied the match with a pin at heavyweight. Lebanon's Braxton Aragon won a 13-8 decision over Cale Scagnoli at 106 pounds, before Western Boone's Isaac Moore won by decision at 113 over Garth Cline to even the match. The Stars won via forfeit at 120, before back-to-back decisions by Lebanon's Cade Spanhook and Niko Trepcos tied the match at 15 after the 132 pound weight class. Western Boone's Trey Fuston won by fall at 138 pounds, before Lincoln Rose won a major decision at 144 to give the Stars a 10-point lead. "We moved guys around and so did they, so we ended up getting some match-ups that we may see in regionals," Mikesell said. "That is a great motivator when our guys get on the mat, and it was an opportunity to beat a county rival." The other best match of the day was at 150, where Lebanon's Zach Tranum and Western Boone's Kameron Mikesell matched up. It was back-and-forth throughout, with both wrestlers getting near fall points in the first period. Mikesell seemed to be on his way to a win, leading by three in the third period, but Tranum got a reversal and three-nearfall to clinch a decision win. "Zach is very even-keeled, no matter the score," King said. "He just stays in the match with no emotion. He just keeps the same attitude on the mat and is always looking to score and got some big points late." Mason Adams put the Stars up 13 after getting a pin at 157 pounds, but the Tigers got the six points right back with a forfeit at the next weight class. Lebanon then get within one heading into the final match thanks to Thomas Thompson getting a pin at 175 pounds. "He's Mr. Consistency," King said. "He has a good feel for the sport and we always know what we can expect from him. We know every time he gets on the mat he is going to give 110%, and that was a big pin for us today." Before the match, the Tigers honored their four seniors Crew, Laney, Spanhook and Tranum. King said they have been key parts of the Tigers' building their program back up. "This class stuck it out through some not so great years, and then the last couple have seen some success," King said. "They have been through the ups and downs and stuck it up. I couldn't be more proud of them." Both Lebanon and Western Boone are now done with duals as they get ready for the sectional. Lebanon will head to the Frankfort Sectional. "We have to finish the close matches," King said. "We lost conference because we lost some close matches throughout the day, and then lost tonight because we lost some close matches and weren't able to open up some of the other matches. We got to get back in the room, work on the little things and keep pushing each other so we can peak next Saturday." Western Boone will head to the Crawfordsville Sectional. "It's always good to end the season on a big win," Mikesell said. "Hopefully this gives us some confidence heading to next week." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.