By Mike McClure

The Woodbridge varsity wrestling team won the final three matches of last Wednesday’s home meet against Laurel to win, 40-30. The Raiders recorded four pins in the victory over the Bulldogs.

“I knew they’d (Laurel) come out fighting. They had a big win against Lake Forest. They’re an up and coming team. Hats off to them for coming out fighting,” said Woodbridge head coach Shane Marvel, whose team was away for four straight weekends for tournaments, only one of which was an hour away. “It’s good to be back in a dual meet schedule.”

Woodbridge’s Duane Cooke opened the dual meet with a 13-2 win by major decision in the 106 pound match. The Raiders took a 10-0 lead when Kyle Davis (113) recorded a pin with 1:36 left.

Laurel’s Cody Drummond (120) won by forfeit and teammate Kyler Weaver won by fall in the third period of the 126 pound march for a 12-10 Bulldogs’ lead. Woodbridge moved ahead, 16-12, on Gavin Manning’s first period pin in the 132 pound match.

The Raiders’ Brandon Williams held a 12-5 lead over Laurel’s Clayton Cutlip (138) at the end of the second period and led, 14-5, before Cutlip turned the table and recorded a pin at 5:24 to put the Bulldogs ahead, 18-16. Laurel added six more points on James Johnson’s pin in the third period of the 145 pound match.

In the 152 pound match, Laurel’s Chase Phippin and Woodbridge’s Brenton Williams went scoreless in the first period before Williams recorded a pin with 43.4 seconds left in the second period.

“That was the pivotal point of the night,” Marvel said.

The Bulldogs’ Jett Furbush (160) scored two points in overtime for the 3-1 win. Woodbridge’s Ellis Cannon (170) won by forfeit for a brief Raider lead (28-27). In the 182 pound match, Woodbridge’s Hunter Young held a 3-2 lead after one period and Laurel’s Jacob Davis held a 5-4 advantage through two periods. Davis held on to win the match, 9-8.

Woodbridge’s Prince Thompson (195) earned a 1-0 win, Michael Hutchison (220) recorded a pin with 8.9 seconds left in the third period, and Derrick Atwood (285) picked up a 6-5 win for the 40-30 victory. Hutchison moved up to the 220 pound weight class and picked up a big win for the Raiders.