ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (Feb. 1, 2024) -- The Wrestling Raiders cruised to a 53-24 conquest over Elyria Catholic in Thursday night Great Lakes Conference action.

Rocky River (7-12) rallied from an 18-6 deficit, sweeping its way across all the weight classes from 132-175 along the way. In eight bouts on the mat at Rocky River Gymnasium, the Pirates went 6-2 with five pins and a tech fall. River mat wins were clocked by Milosh Petkovic (win by fall at 120), Nickola Petkovic (WBF, 138), Dylan Heffron (WBF, 144), Liam Ries (WBF, 150), Lincoln Krish (win by tech fall, 157), and Laith Qasem (WBF, 285). The 53 total points marked Rocky River's fourth-most this season (54 three times).

With his pin at 138, Nickola Petkovic has now gone 5-1 in his last six bouts. Krish, owner of a 15-0 win Thursday, is now 10-2 since Jan. 20. The 2023 district qualifier is 25-10 overall this season.

The evening at the Corner of Wagar & Detroit marked Senior Night for the Raider program. Four Pirate Greybeards (Ilyas Bouchanafa, Zane Lindquist, Connor Schiefferle, Ricky Skains) were honored in a pre-match ceremony.

"We are truly going to miss this senior class," said coach Matt Sycz. "These guys have helped build the high school program by encouraging others to join the team, and they have taken the time to work with their teammates before, during, and after practices. Not only are these individuals excellent motivators in the wrestling room but excellent individuals outside the room. The entire coaching staff knows that the seniors are the pillars of our program, and we thank them for working so hard over the four years they've had in this program."

Rocky River is slated to return to action Feb. 9 with its Duel in the School match at Lutheran West. The Wrestling Raiders will then close out their regular season with the Feb. 10 GLC Tournament hosted by Westlake High School.


by Skip Snow

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