Washington junior Karlton Skuball fights Louisa-Muscatines Hunter Connors for position on the mat in Thursday’s non-conference triangular. Photo by KCII’s Nate Gonner.

Two nights after earning three wins in their season opener, the Washington Demon wrestling team (5-0 overall) was back on the mat Thursday in rural Riverside. Highland High School played host to a triangular involving the Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (0-2 overall), the Huskies (1-1 overall) and the Demons. Washington’s depth came in handy in two convincing wins.

The first dual saw the Huskies battle the Falcons in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North bout. Twelve of the 14 matches were ruled forefits as Highland edged L&M, 42-39. The two scored matches went in favor of the Falcons. In the 138 pound match L&M’s Austin Leopard won an 11-5 decision over Cory Stewart. The duel concluded with the 182 pound match, which lasted all of 14 seconds. Hunter Connor, the 10th ranked wrestler in the 170 pound division, wrestled up a class and pinned Highland’s Colton Hill seconds into the match.

The Demons opened their night battling the Falcons, and Washington had several wrestlers earn wins without breaking a sweat. Eight wrestlers earns six points by forefit, propelling Washington to a 72-6 victory over Louisa-Muscatine. Trey Van Weelden (JR; 152), Tanner Murphy (SO; 195), and Mitchel Husiega (SO; 285) earned victories by fall in the fourth dual victory of the season for Washington.

The final matches of the night saw Highland wrestle Washington, and once again the Demons’ numbers played a role. Washington scored 30 points on surrenders alone, winning their fifth dual of the season, 66-12. All eight matches that took place between the schools were decided by pins. The most notable victory was recorded by junior Bryce West, who defeat David Hora (FR; 120) by fall 48 seconds into the match. The victory was the 100th overall of Bryce’s varsity career. The Huskies also picked up win by fall from Drew West (JR; 126), who pinned Andrew Waite (JR; 126) 1 minute 50 seconds into their match. Kyle Anderson (JR; 120), Michael Ellingson (SR; 126), Tristan Westphal-Edwards (FR;160), and Bryce Rickey (SR; 170) all recorded a win by fall versus the Huskies, assisting the Demons in sweeping the triangular.

Washington’s dual record improves to 5-0. The Demons are set to return to the mat tonight, competing in the ninth annual Cascade Varsity Duals. The schools Washington will share the gym with include: Cascade, Clayton Ridge, Maquoketa, Maquoketa Valley, Bellevue, Starmont, and MFL Mar-Mac. First wrestle offs are set for 4:30 at Cascade High School.