The Ballard men's wrestling team delivered a strong performance Thursday night, defeating North Polk 41-27 in an RRC dual meet. The Bombers improved their overall record to 11-3 and 5-2 in conference action with a balanced effort across all weight classes. Despite an early 12-0 deficit after North Polk earned falls at 106 and 113 pounds, Ballard responded in dominant fashion. Easton Enyeart sparked the comeback with a first-period pin at 120 pounds, followed by an 11-6 decision by Grayson Hedrick at 126. Tony Horness and Jacob Harrison extended the Bombers' momentum with a fall in 1:18 at 132 pounds and a 4-0 decision at 138, respectively.
North Polk gained some ground with wins at 144 and 150 pounds, but the Bombers regained control at 157, where Jace Cory pinned his opponent in 3:08. Tucker Vitzthum delivered an impressive technical fall at 165 pounds, dominating his match 19-3 in just over two minutes. Although Jaxon Shafer fell in a close 8-5 decision at 175 pounds, Ballard finished the dual in emphatic fashion. Rhett Hedrick secured a pin in just over a minute at 190 pounds, and Daniel Campbell capped off the night with a lightning-fast pin at 215 pounds, finishing his match in only 13 seconds. While North Polk's Henry Christensen claimed a technical fall at 285 pounds, it wasn't enough to threaten Ballard's commanding lead.
"This was a total team effort," said Ballard head coach Dillon Combs. "Our guys stayed aggressive and capitalized on key opportunities. Wins like this are a testament to their hard work and determination."
The Bombers now look ahead to their next event on Monday, January 20, where they will compete in a triangular at West Marshall against North Butler and West Marshall. Matches are set to begin at 5:30 PM.
NORTH POLK RESULTS
106 lb Charlie Boelman (North Polk) over Nolan Adams (Ballard) (Fall 1:17)
113 lb Preston Dowd (North Polk) over Owen Davidson (Ballard) (Fall 5:17)
120 lb Easton Enyeart (Ballard) over Noah Francis (North Polk) (Fall 1:26)
126 lb Grayson Hedrick (Ballard) over Andrew Reed (North Polk) (Dec 11-6)
132 lb Tony Horness (Ballard) over Cael Cotter (North Polk) (Fall 1:18)
138 lb Jacob Harrison (Ballard) over Sawyer Smeltzer (North Polk) (Dec 4-0)
144 lb Augustin Schaffer (North Polk) over Carter Jeffs (Ballard) (Dec 13-7)
150 lb Evan Kelsick (North Polk) over Jayden Leland (Ballard) (MD 19-10)
157 lb Jace Cory (Ballard) over Luke Engebretson (North Polk) (Fall 3:08)
165 lb Tucker Vitzthum (Ballard) over Sam Adams (North Polk) (TF 19-3 2:16)
175 lb Mason Ackerman (North Polk) over Jaxon Shafer (Ballard) (Dec 8-5)
190 lb Rhett Hedrick (Ballard) over Gabe Visalden (North Polk) (Fall 1:01)
215 lb Daniel Campbell (Ballard) over Wesley Visalden (North Polk) (Fall 0:13)
285 lb Henry Christensen (North Polk) over Jackson Wacha (Ballard) (TF 21-6 4:22)
Photo Credit: Davidson Photography