Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – The Purple Tornado wrestling team took to the mat for the final time at home this season Thursday night, facing the team 12 miles north of them, the Sherburne-Earlville Marauders. Norwich claimed the victory 63-4 but there was more to the dual meet that met the eye.

The Tornado were scheduled to host Dryden on Wednesday for the last dual meet of the year and planned on honoring their seniors prior to the match. However, mother nature had a different plan and forced many school closings and event cancellations and the senior night dual was one of the many.

Norwich head coach Bob Hagenbuch called the Marauders’ coaching staff of Bim Palmer and Brian Hicks and explained the situation. Palmer and Hicks – who currently have zero seniors on their roster – said they weren’t going to allow those kids to not have their special night and agreed to come up the road.

Sherburne-Earlville, who has a total of seven wrestlers on their roster, had to forfeit a number of matches (99, 113, 126, 132, 138, and 285) while 106, 195 and 220 were a forfeit by both teams causing no bout to take place.

The 120 pound bout was the first action on the mat for the dual meet. Norwich’s Nick Glanville took an early shot in the match, bringing down S-E’s Selina Moore to the mat. Needing just 28 seconds, the Purple Tornado senior pinned Moore for his 24th win this season.

At 145 pounds, S-E’s Morgan Lakin and Norwich’s Keegan Wright met for the match of the night. Lakin, a heavy favorite in Section III at 145 pounds, made the first move and score two points with the early takedown. Holding the lead into the second period, Lakin took the down position to start.

Wright used the second period start to his advantage as he picked up three points with a near fall count, taking the 3-2 lead. In the third, the Tornado senior score a penalty point to take the match win with a 4-2 decision.

Norwich’s Mikey Squires took an early lead over the Marauders’ Connor Foster in the 152 pound match. Foster hung on into the second period before Squires completed a rare and complicated move, landing Foster on the mat and pinning him a few seconds later.