Wrestling

Johnson City 63, Norwich 21

NORWICH - Absent a wrestler in every weight above 145 pounds, the Tornado gave up nine forfeits, and dropped its initial match of the 2012-2013 season Wednesday evening.

The Tornado won four matches, three of which came from the Rifanburg brothers. Ty Rifanburg (99) picked up a forfeit, while older brothers Cole (106) and Tristan (138) won by pin. The Tornado’s other victory came at 145 with Frank Garcia blanking the Wildcats’ Nick Bidwell, 6-0. Garcia built a 4-0 lead after two periods earning a late first-period takedown, and a reversal in the final five seconds of the second period. “Frankie has a little bit of an injury, but he was still able to beat one of their better guys,” said Norwich coach Joe Downey. “He wrestled a good match, and he didn’t quit.”

Downey only had six wrestlers available for the first match, but expects to fill some of the empty slots this weekend at the Clyde Cole Wrestling Tournament in Oxford.

Results

(started at 220)