Hampered by forfeits in three weight classes, Mariposa’s varsity wrestling squad bowed to Yosemite’s Badgers in Oakhurst last Wednesday, 46-34, in a non-league dual match. The Grizzlies are now 1-1 on the season and haven’t begun their Trans Valley League campaign.

“It was disappointing to lose the match, but we had some strong performances and that makes the trip worthwhile,” head coach Scott Seymour said.

At 103 pounds, Mariposa’s William Auble picked up a win by forfeit before the Grizzlies forfeited at 112 pounds. Mariposa’s Ryan Thompson was pinned in the third round of his 119-pound contest, and freshman Eric Pope suffered the same fate in his 125- pound match.

Mariposa’s picked up its first match win at 130 pounds when Justin Long won by decision. Grizzly Chris Sherrill ended up on the short end of a decision at 135 pounds.

Joe Grabowski won by forfeit for Mariposa at 140 pounds, and Grizzly Jesus Ortiz was pinned in the 140- pound battle.

In the middle weights, Mariposa started to gain ground, much like it did in its win over Chowchilla the week prior.

Senior Colin Ritter sparked the comeback when he nailed his opponent’s shoulders to the mat with just 1 second left in the first round of his 152- pound match. Junior Alex Harrington matched that feat with a first-round pin at 160 pounds.

Grizzly Patrick Hibpshman lost by a pin to the opposing coach’s son in his 171-pound match before Mariposa’s Keenan Johnson recorded a first round pin at 189 pounds, which tied the match at 34-34.

The Grizzlies forfeited at both 215 pounds and at heavyweight, which basically determined the final score. According to Seymour, heavyweight wrestler Joe Mass has left the team.