“We got some key wins at 120, 126 and 132,” Mason coach Craig Murnan said. “It was important to get some early wins. (Fairfield’s) really good. We were just better than them today.”
The Indians went into the match missing a couple of wrestlers, which didn’t help, coach Ron Masanek said.
“You can’t make excuses,” said Masanek, who’s hoping Fairfield can get back on track at Saturday’s Greater Miami Conference tournament. “They beat us pretty good. Right now, it’s disappointing, but realistically, we have to work harder.”
Mason will face Centerville, the 7-B top seed, in the Region 7 finals on Feb. 6 at a site to be determined. The state tournament is scheduled for Feb. 9 at Ohio State University’s St. John Arena in Columbus.
Crabtree’s pin of Fairfield senior Greysun Barden was a “statement win for him,” Murnan said. Crabtree didn’t think it was such a big deal.
“I knew his game,” Crabtree said. “I tried not to panic. I’m pumped. This was a big win for us. We just had to focus on winning matches and not letting anything bad happen.”
The Indians narrowly avoided being upset in the 7-A semifinals before pulling out a 33-30 win over fifth-seeded Springboro. The Panthers won the first three matches before Barden earned a 7-3 win at 126 to start the Indians’ comeback. Junior Max Meddings followed with a pin at 132, and senior Adam Sams added at pin at 138 to give the Indians a head of steam.
Mason earned its berth in the 7-A finals with a convincing 44-10 win over Lakota East, the No. 3 seed. The Comets captured 11 of the 14 weight classes, starting with Kearney’s pin at 106.
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