Austin Martin with big win for DeKalb as Barbs top Batavia in home opener

DeKALB – After a late takedown against Batavia’s Kaden Fetterolf at 132 pounds, Austin Martin took a two-point lead with 10 seconds left, but Fetterolf got a reversal with 2 seconds remaining to force overtime.

But the DeKalb sophomore didn’t give up, taking care of Fetterolf, a state qualifier last year, in overtime as the Barbs knocked off the Bulldogs, 51-31, on Tuesday in a dual meet at DeKalb.

“Some people fold when that happens,” DeKalb coach Sam Hiatt said. “He kept wrestling, stayed focused and stuck to his game plan. That’s his biggest win so far.”

Martin said he was looking to finish the match on top, leaving himself open for the reversal from Fetterolf.

“I couldn’t give up any bonus points. I couldn’t give up any more points,” Martin said. “I had to go through and finish up the match even after giving up the reversal.”

Fetterolf was unable to maintain the momentum after tying the bout at the end of regulation.

“He’s a tough kid, but he took a bad shot that gave them the opportunity to go ahead,” Batavia coach Scott Bayer said. “That was tough for him.”

Ben Aranda needed only 58 seconds to get a pin for the Barbs at 113. Blake McGee got a pin in 2:40 at 138, then Tommy Curran pinned returning state qualifier Riley Woods in 3:08.

Damien Lopez needed 2:17 for a pin at 152 for the Barbs, and Gavin Engh rounded out the on-the-mat wins for the Barbs with a win by fall at 1:47.

Ino Garcia opened the meet for Batavia with a win by fall in the third period of his bout at 106. The next win for the Bulldogs didn’t come until North Dakota State recruit Mikey Caliendo got a pin in 1:21.

Bayer said Caliendo, who he called a special talent, was wrestling in his first match of the year.

“DeKalb is a really tough team. We knew that coming in,” Bayer said. “They’ve got hammers up and down their lineup. It’s good to have Caliendo back after trying to make the world team.”

Jack Bronzy had the other on-the-mat win for Batavia, beating Brayten Wilkerson at 195, 9-6. Wilkerson had a 4-2 lead in the second, but a near-fall put Bronzy in command after two periods.

After a third-period reversal, Wilkerson got to within 8-6, but he couldn’t get the near-fall and had to cut Bronzy loose.

There also was an exhibition match, with Bryson Buhk, a 195-pounder, picking up a win against Batavia 182-pounder Jackson Tonkovich. It was Buhk’s first match of the year, as he also has been playing baseball this spring.

“He’s been working hard, jumping between sports. It’s not easy,” Hiatt said. “Plus, we got some other kids that just got done with football a week ago. It’s going to take a little bit to get into it. Buhk battled tough – he always grinds tough. That was a good match.”