Poplar Bluff pins New Madrid 72-6

By DAR STAFF

NEW MADRID -- The Poplar Bluff Mules got ready for the upcoming SEMO Conference tournament by dispatching New Madrid County Central 72-6 Tuesday night.

Three of Poplar Bluff's eight pins were in under a minute as the Mules bounced back from a tough weekend.

"Maybe they got some confidence back tonight," Mules coach Brian Wisdom said. "I've been pretty tough on them this week."

Ethan Swingle was the top finisher Saturday for Poplar Bluff at the Route 141 Rumble in St. Louis. The 103-pound freshman finished third while Kelton Thompson (215 pounds) finished fourth. Brandon Bounds (125) finished fifth while Zach Surque (112) and Jordan Henningson (135) were sixth.

Wisdom said he had the team work out prior to getting on the bus for the match Tuesday night. The Mules responded with their largest dual victory of the season.

Bounds had the quickest pin of the night at 38 seconds while Vince Faraone (140) won in 39 seconds. Henningson won his match in 47 seconds while Brent Wagner (152) needed 71 seconds after placing eighth over the weekend. Colton Woodsmall (119) picked up a pin in 1:17 while Swingle needed 1:29. Dallas Berry, who finished seventh at 145 on Saturday, got a pin at 4:17 on Tuesday while Paul Swesey (189) got a pin in 3:26.

New Madrid's Patrick Gototh beat Brennan Moore at 160 pounds with a pin in 4:53.

New Madrid also forfeited matches at 112, 130, 215 and heavyweight.

Both teams head to Sikeston on Friday and Saturday for the SEMO Conference tournament. The Mules will then host Dexter on Jan. 24.