Escanaba’s Kaleb Gagne (right) attempts to earn a takedown during a match against Gladstone’s Jack Taylor on Dec. 4, 2024 at Escanaba High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Two new head coaches, many first-time wrestlers and increased point values in individual matches made for an interesting season-opening dual meet here Wednesday night.

When all was said and done, the Escanaba Eskymos presented coach John Rogers with his first victory in a 49-30 conquest of Gladstone.

“It was very exciting,” he said. “A win against a rival school always makes for a good start. It may be rivals vs. rivals, but for us to compete downstate we also have to be practice partners. Between us, I think this sport is going to grow. Right now they’re a little shorthanded and we have 12 freshmen which makes for an exciting meet.”

While the team scoring remains the same, takedowns and reversals are now worth three points and near falls are awarded four, a point more on each count than in the past. An escape, however, still counts as one point.

“I think that makes it more exciting,” Braves’ coach Ryan Harrenstein said. “I think that motivates wrestlers to take more risks during the matches. Three points for takedowns and reversals and four points for near falls can get you back in a match quickly. This sport is evolving all the time.”

Esky gained a 10-0 lead after freshman Robert Ranstadler rallied from an early seven-point deficit to defeat Drew Baldovsky 16-7 in the 113-pound match.

“This was a very competitive meet,” Rogers said. “A three-point takedown is huge. Sleep was not a thing they (kids) were doing last night.”

After the Eskymos gained a 16-point cushion on a forfeit at 120, the Braves got on the board 2:43 into the 126 bout when Ward Forvilly pinned Cody Crowe.

Gladstone was within 22-12 following the 138 bout in which Conner Britton pinned Caden Smith at 1:59.

The Eskymos responded with victories in the next three bouts, gaining a 39-12 cushion after junior Cannon Arnt pinned Deegan Miron in 90 seconds.

Esky led 43-18 after senior Kaleb Gagne took a 20-7 decision from Jack Taylor.

Mason Wells (190) and Ben Wilson (215) then record pins to bring the Braves within 43-30 before the Eskymos got a forfeit at heavyweight.

Harrenstein, who moved to the area from Iowa seven years ago, was active with the Gladstone youth program and was a varsity assistant last year.

“I’m just getting familiar with the rivalry,” he said. “It was a lot of fun to be part of this.”

Both teams are on the road Saturday with Esky competing in the Ishpeming Westwood Super Duals and Gladstone traveling downstate for the Portland Invitational.

Match results

106 — Meshigaud, E, forfeit

113 — Randstadler, E, dec. Baldovsky, 16-7

120 — Davis, E, forfeit

126 — W. Forvilly, G, pinned Crowe, 2:43

132 — Smithingell, E, pinned Carlson, 1:29

138 — Britton, G, pinned Smith, 1:59

144 — Krueger, E, tech fall (15-0) over Proehl

150 — Skerbeck, E, pinned R. Forvilly, 2:11

157 — Arnt, E, pinned Miron, 1:30

165 — M. Wilson, G, pinned DeGrand, 3:35

175 — Gagne, E, dec. Taylor, 20-7

190 — Wells, G, pinned Denis, 4:27

215 — B. Wilson, G, pinned Portillo, 2:43

Hwt. — Klenow, E, forfeit