A very slim 36 to 35 margin is what it took for Oroville to upset the fourth-in-state ranked Liberty Bell Lions.

Davis Castillo, Nick Perez and Tyler Herrera led the way with first period pins. Matt Kelly, Justin Rounds and Carlos Herrera added forfeit wins to amass the 36 points needed for a perfect league, dual season.

“In perhaps the most controversial bout of the evening, freshman Mike Lynch had his opponent on his back on at least three occasions only to come up with one, two-point near fall,” said Coach Chuck Ricevuto. “As a result Mike lost a very physical eight to 10 decision.”

The Hornets travel to Springdale for districts this Saturday as the arch toward the Tacoma Dome begins.

“It was a treat to have Ken Neal back as our emcee. Ken helped us honor our four seniors – Matt Kelly, Carlos Herrera, Bryce Woodruff and J.T. Miller,” said Coach Ricevuto.

The week before the Hornet wrestling team had won all four of its league matches including a win on the road against Wilber-Creston-Keller (WCK).

Pins by Alex Kelly, Nick Perez and Tyler Herrera and a regular decision win by Mike Lynch amassed the mat points. Bryce Woodruff, Davis Castillo, Matt Kelly, J.T. Miller, David Sanchez and Carlos Herrera picked up forfeit victories.

“We lumped the kids around into exhibition matches to get some real time on the mat, but only actually lost one official bout,” said Coach Chuck Ricevuto. “Overall we wrestled well with a final score of 57-24.

In non-league action the Hornets downed St. John Endicott and lost to Reardan. Alex Kelly, Woodruff, Lynch, Carlos Herrera and Miller picked up pins against Reardan, while Castillo wrestled a tough 8-11 decision. Perez gathered a forfeit win.

A bunch of forfeits and pins by Perez and Matt Kelly helped to defeat St. John, said Coach Ricevuto.