Plopi’s rally highlights Butler loss to Rams
BUTLER TWP — Kaitlynn Plopi got herself into trouble, then impressively fought her way out.
Facing Pine-Richland’s Giana Campanella at 142 pounds in Wednesday’s girls wrestling dual match, Plopi took an early risk.
“I’ve been dealing with a tight muscle in my lower back,” Plopi said. “I was feeling some pain and wanted to go out and end (the bout) as soon as I could. I attempted a dumb throw.”
The move led to Campanella scoring a takedown and Plopi gave up five more points to go down 7-0 in the second period.
“I was fighting with all the defenses I know. I used a bridge as high as I could and she bridged with me,” Plopi said.
That strategy allowed Plopi to score a reversal and 10 seconds later she earned her first victory of the season by fall with just 11 seconds left in the second period.
At the time, the win gave Butler a 24-18 lead. The Golden Tornado and Rams both ended up scoring 36 points, but P-R picked up the team victory on the sixth criteria point, fewest forfeits given up.
The Rams showed up with 20 wrestlers. Butler has 11 wrestlers and only nine dressed. The Golden Tornado (0-2) had to forfeit three bouts.
“We needed a spark and Kaitlynn provided it,” Butler coach Nathan Bottiger said. “She has a lot of never give up in her.”
Also earning pins for the Tornado were Brin Zehmisch, Rowan Zehmisch, Anastasia Manchester, Mylee Toner and Olivia Hageman
“I thought we came out a little flat in our first match against Kiski, but I’m extremely proud of the effort tonight,” Bottiger said.
Pine-Richland 36, Butler 36
100: Charon Fredell (PR) by forfeit; 106: No bout; 112: Carmen Mascarenas (PR) pinned Lillianna Burgardt, 2:27; 118: Brin Zehmisch (B) pinned Megan Berger, 2:42; 124: Rowan Zehmisch (B) pinned Alexis Verba, 3:26; 130: Aariona Strader (PR) by forfeit; 136: Anastasia Manchester (B) pinned Dixie Schauer, :21; 142: Kaitlynn Plopi (B) pinned Giada Campanella, 3:49; 148: Tiffany Gathers (PR) by forfeit; 155: Mylee Toner (B) pinned Brynn Bosack, 2:45; 170: Aya Vainshtein (PR) by default; 190: Olivia Hageman (B) pinned Emily Domitrovic, :38; 285: Ruth Hartzell (PR) pinned Monica Osborne, 2:01
