CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage boys wrestling team secured a hard-fought 41-34 victory over the Bolivar Liberators in a varsity boys dual meet at home. The Tigers' strong showing in the lower and middle weights proved decisive, overcoming a late surge from Bolivar to claim the win in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Carthage jumped out to an early lead with four consecutive forfeits and pins in the lighter weight classes. Randy Teo Monzon started the night at 106 pounds with a forfeit win, followed by Kixson Reynolds at 113 pounds dominating Landon Mumm with a technical fall (19-2 in 2:36). After a pin by Bolivar's Collin Montgomery over Javi Perez Merida at 120 pounds, the Tigers responded with pins from Denis Velasquez (126), Mason Artym (132 over Stetson Bradley in 4:38), Jace Nichols (138 over Madden Ross in 1:21), and Douglas Ball (144, forfeit).
The momentum continued at 150 pounds as Dylan (Michael) Evans pinned Logan Roberts in 3:27, giving Carthage a commanding lead.
Bolivar mounted a comeback in the upper weights, with Koven Parks earning a decision (11-5) over Kayden Hole at 157, Cale McCurry taking a close decision (8-5) over Lenny Escobar at 165, and Logan Bunn recording a quick pin (0:30) over Joshua Hill at 175. Sam Harless added a major decision (20-6) over Steve Serious at 190, and Bolivar closed strong with forfeits at 215 (Grant Bayless) and 285 (Owen McCullah).
Despite Bolivar's late rally, the Tigers' six pins and two forfeits in the first half of the lineup sealed the victory, 41-34.