Wrestling: Pirates too physical for LC

Updated: January 11, 2012 10:24PM

MERRILLVILLE — Bobby Steveson didn’t quite come up with the pin he wanted against Lake Central’s Brandon Manchak at 160 pounds.

The impressive and aggressive Merrillville freshman, though, should end up recording a whole lot of pins by the team he earns his high school diploma.

“No matter who it is, I’m going non-stop,’’ said Steveson, who defeated Manchak by unanimous decision (22-10) during Wednesday night’s 45-15 Duneland Athletic Conference win over LC.

Steveson is 19-1 heading into Saturday’s DAC meet at Valparaiso.

“I’m always in his (opponent’s) face,’’ Steveson said. “I’m always working to get the takedown and improve the score.’’

Steveson’s only loss came in No. 4 Merrillville’s dual meet loss to No. 2 Crown Point last week when he lost to three-time defending state champ, Jason Tsirtsis, 16-6.

“Losing to him humbled me more and made me work harder in practice,’’ Steveson said. “It made me want to improve and work on things I need to work on the most.’’

Merrillville coach Dave Maldonado said Steveson is a talented youngster.

“He’s just a good kid,’’ he said. “He listens. He’s just very coachable. He’ll exceed any expectations the coaches, himself, or anyone else might have for him if he remains coachable. He’s a kid who just wants to be there every day.’’

The Pirates recorded four pins — Mike Garza, Darryl Peppers, Eric DeLuna and Alex Jara at 195 — and were physically tougher than the Indians.

“Our young guys (seven sophomores) have to be able to wrestle a little more physical,’’ LC coach Rod Wartman said. “At 170, our guy (Jeff Brassea) wrestled well, but he got caught in a physical move. Merrillville — they’re a good physical team. You have to come in knowing you must withstand their physical style if you want to stay in the match.’’

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