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Mercer County tops Sherrard on the mats
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By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
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SHERRARD -- A lineup without five starters left some wondering how the Mercer County wrestling team would look in its season debut. Based on the reviews, it was promising. Without their full arsenal, the Golden Eagles used a makeshift lineup featuring veterans and youth to earn a 49-30 win over Sherrard on Thursday night. Despite a less-than-ideal finish in the lower weights, Mercer County exited the dual with some good vibes considering this was its fourth day together as a full team. "We can be so much better," Mercer County coach Jeremy Finch said. "We're just now starting. We'll get this all cleaned up." Because of the football team's run to the Class 2A state title, the Golden Eagles did not have their first practice as a team until Monday. More than a third of their regular starters were absent as they continue to get their weight certified, leading to a forfeit at 152 pounds and four freshmen filling other spots. Two freshmen -- Ashton Klingaman (126 pounds) and Tomas Malone (132) -- earned victories at the start, putting Mercer County up 16-0. From there, regulars Tristen Finch (138) and Logan Snyder (145) snagged victories by fall to extend the lead to 28-0 through five bouts. "It wasn't a shock," Sherrard coach Jeff Garrett said of Mercer County's quick start. "I knew there would be some weight classes where we would struggle. That's how it is." Kody Lambert's 152-pound forfeit win ended the Golden Eagles' five-bout streak, but Hank Connnor (160), Jon Ricke (170) and Matt Weeks (182) won by decision, fall and fall, respectively, to put the dual away. Combine the last two victories with Bobby Lincoln's first-period fall at 220 pounds, the Golden Eagles earned five pins and a major decision. "We're not down to weight," Ricke said. "When we are, we'll be something pretty special. We have a lot of talent on the team. We've just got to get the lineup where it needs to be." The scary thing is Mercer County, ranked second in the Illinois Best Weekly Class 1A poll, knows its best performances are still ahead. "The potential is there," Jeremy Finch said. "Once we get everyone down in their weight classes and we start getting in wrestling shape, we'll be tough." Sherrard did close the match with pins from Ben Corlett (285), Hunter Spengler (106) and Chance Teel (113), but the outcome already was decided before those wins. Prior to those matches, Mercer County held a 49-12 advantage. "We wrestled OK," Garrett said. "They wrestled a good dual. We've just got to keep working." As they walked off the mat, the Golden Eagles said the same thing. However, they could not have asked for a better start. "It's exciting," Ricke said. "It's great to start the season with a win." 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
(More History)