The wrestling team traveled to Waverly High School Wednesday, Dec. 11, to open its season against the Chelsea Bulldogs and the Grand Ledge Comets.

Kearsley overcame Chelsea High School 39-31.

Following Chelsea, Kearsley fell to Grand Ledge 41-37.

The team’s seniors went 8-0 during the meet.

Senior Trenton DiGenova hopes the strong leadership will take the team further in the season.

“I feel like the team did very well,” DiGenova said. “We were the most aggressive team there but when we came up short it was because we gave up too many free points. We have more leadership on the team than ever so I know that will take us a long way.”

Freshman Angelina Colley, sophomore Cole Crowder and senior Amari Douglas opened the exposition. Colley won by a forfeit, Crowder lost via pin, and Douglass won by a pin.

Freshman Gage Stafford didn’t have an opponent from Chelsea and won his first match of the season via forfeit.

Senior La’Ron Ruffin, captain, also didn’t have an opponent. His forfeit victory was his 100th victory in his wrestling career.

Ruffin thanks his family and friends for their support throughout his career.

“Even though I was disappointed that I got a void for my 100th win, I knew it was for a bigger purpose,” Ruffin said. “I put in countless hours in the off season to get where I’m at and if it wasn’t for my friends and family pushing me over my limits everyday I wouldn’t be in the position I’m able to be in.”

Juniors Jason Judd and Brandon Garvin, sophomore Kaleb Gettings, and senior Johnny Brown, captain, won with pins in the first period of their matches.

Freshmen Kegan Doyle and Jacob Mosher lost their first matches via pin in the first period.

Juniors Rodney Richards and Elija Garza lost their first matches via points. Richards lost 9-4 and Garza fell 16-4.

DiGenova, captain, won his first match by points, finishing 10-4.

Freshmen Dominik DiGenova lost by pin in the third period.

Colley and Douglas opened the Comet-Hornet exposition.

Colley lost by pin in the second period and Douglass won by pin in the second.

Ruffin and Dominik DiGenova won by pin in the first period.

Stafford, Gettings, and Brown pinned their opponents in the second period.

Judd, Doyle, Garvin, and Mosher lost their second matches of the night by pin in the first period.

Richards won his match by points 8-2 and Trenton DiGenova won 12-4.

Garza fell 11-6 in his second match of the night.

The wrestling team will travel to Brighton Saturday, Dec. 14, for the Grappler Gold Invitational at the Legacy Center.