NORTHAMPTON — The first three weight classes passed by and the Northampton wrestling team was sitting with a 6-5 lead over Holyoke.
That lead didn’t last very long as the 125-pound weight class was about to go.
Ishani Morales, of Holyoke, and Jovan Claybaugh, of Northampton, checked in at the table and then walked to the center of the mat. They shook hands and the referee blew his whistle.
Morales didn’t waste any time as she went right after Claybaugh. As the setup was there for the takedown, she slid onto one knee and grasped her arms around Claybaugh’s legs and used her momentum to get the two-point takedown.
With Morales in control, she slide her hand under Claybaugh’s arm and around his neck to perform the half nelson pin. Claybaugh tried to fight off his back, but the move was too tight.
Morales saw the referee slap the mat and blow his whistle. With that whistle 59 seconds into the first round, Morales pinned Claybaugh and put the Knights ahead en route to a 41-21 win over the Blue Devils, Wednesday.
“Every match I go out there and do what I need to do, step off the mat and support my teammates,” Morales said.
Ever since sixth grade, Morales has loved pushing her limits when it comes to athletics and that’s where her love for wrestling started.
Last season, as a wrestler for John J. Duggan Academy in Springfield, Morales placed second at 125 pounds in the first MIAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament. She pinned her way to the finals before losing to Sophia Matthews, of Woburn, 8-4.
“I always have the same mentality when I wrestle,” Morales said. “I wrestle aggressive like there’s no tomorrow and I am never intimidated of wrestling a male.”
Holyoke assistant coach Aarin Feliz has been pleased with the work Morales has brought to the team.
“Greatest thing about her is that she’s always pushing herself,” Feliz said. “Things have been worked on and she is the hardest worker there is. Once recognizing all the preparation being put into it and releasing all that work, she began to have fun.”
Morales is able to use her experience and help fellow teammates.
“She’s coachable, she’s a leader on and off the mat and leads by example,” Feliz said.
Along with Morales’ pin, Holyoke received pins from Omar Gomez (195 weight class) and Aiden Stark (285 weight class) during its win over Northampton.
Jesus Baez, of Northampton, won 13-11 over Xavier Roman at 138 pounds for the Blue Devils. Quan Randall (220) pinned Juan Santiago in 1:55 for Northampton’s lone pin.