By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
MITCHELL – With one more victory, Jorj Filler will join exclusive company in the history of Bedford North Lawrence wrestling.
Filler recorded his 99th career win on Thursday night. Only two other predecessors – Curtis Otstot with 120 and Chris Whitfield with 100 – have ever reached triple digits. It’s a testament to talent and durability in a brutal sport that forces bodies to bend in undesigned ways.
Filler climbed within one of the century mark during BNL’s 41-6 team triumph over county rival Mitchell. He kept Ezra Brazzell on his back for most of the 126-pound match, but couldn’t quite get both shoulders pinned on the mat, while recording a technical fall (a 19-4 lead when the battle was stopped at 5:26).
That was a bit unlucky, in contrast to the luck that’s required for a wrestler to survive four years without suffering injuries.
“I haven’t had to sit out, and a lot of my teammates have,” Filler said. “Some of them have stopped wrestling completely because the injuries were too much. I’m very blessed.”
Barring the unforeseen or unfortunate, he fill log No.100 on Saturday during the Old Capitol Classic at Corydon. “It’s important, it’s exciting,” Filler said.
The Stars won all five contested matches against the equally-shorthanded Bluejackets.
Wyatt Philpott flipped Ethan Saunders in 1:07 at 113, Ethan Stancombe trapped Corbin Peters in 2:39 at 165, Tate Tanksley leveled Cody Howard in 1:42 at 190, and Connor Roberts stopped Jackson Kling in 2:15 at 215.
“I am really proud of our guys,” BNL assistant coach Mike Branam said. “The kids came out ready to wrestle. We had a couple of weeks off, and this was a great way to come off that break. This should help boost our confidence for our tournament on Saturday.”
BNL 41, MITCHELL 6
106 – Double forfeit
113 – Wyatt Philpott, BNL p. Ethan Saunders 1:07
120 – Double forfeit
126 – Jorj Filler, BNL d. Ezra Brazzell 19-4 (technical fall, 5:26)
132 – Double forfeit
138 – Gabe Brazzell, M won by forfeit
144 – Double forfeit
150 – Double forfeit
157 – Double forfeit
165 – Ethan Stancombe, BNL p. Corbin Peters 2:39
175 – Asher Arce, BNL won by forfeit
190 – Tate Tanksley, BNL p. Cody Howard 1:42
215 – Connor Roberts, BNL p. Jackson Kling 2:15
285 – Junior Arellano, BNL won by forfeit
