Hillgrove High School’s wrestling team visited Harrison on Wednesday, in a battle for first place in the region. The Hillgrove Hawks led by one point heading into the final match when a pin by Hawk grappler Dylan Boyette sealed the win and first place in the region.

In the 130-pound weight class, Hillgrove’s Russell Scott took his opponent Deuce White into the third period. This emotional match was very heated and both wrestlers fought hard. But it was White who came away with a 7-3 victory.

Hillgrove’s Tyler Ray was next in the 135-pound weight class. He was on the brink of a loss late in the third period, but Ray squirmed loose and saved his team three points in the process.

Hillgrove’s Peter Nguyen was pinned by Hoya Anthony Fiacco 32 seconds into the match in the 140-pound weight class.

Hoya Dylan Law took early command of his Hawk opponent, Garrett Johnson, in the 145-pound weight class. In the second period, it looked as if Law was going to finish him off. But Johnson reversed out of a hold, took Law down and pinned him.

The 160-pound weight class proved to be one of the more exciting matches of the evening. Harrison’s Kyler Gillespie squared off against Jeron Jackson in a match that eventually went into overtime. Gillespie held a meager 3-1 lead in the third period but a late reversal gave Jackson two points and indulged the crowd in some free wrestling.

Only two points were scored in the three, 30-second overtime periods. Both points occurred in the second overtime period, and both were scored on a takedown by Gillespie, who won the match 5-3.

“We thought he had him there,” said Hillgrove head coach Luke McSorley. “Jeron will go back to the weight room and work hard. He will be fine.”

The 171, 189, 215 and 285-pound weight classes saw Harrison and HIllgrove trade pins. The dual and first seed in the upcoming Regional Duals would come down to the last match.

Harrison sent Theresa Bernard to the mat to square off against Hillgrove’s Dylan Boyette. The match only lasted into the second round as Boyette proved to be too much, pinning Bernard in the second period.

Hillgrove won the dual 39-32.

“We’ve been (winning) like this all year,” McSorley happily proclaimed. “We are 15-3. We’re just tooth and claw—take it one match at a time.”