SOLON — The Solon girls wrestling star, Kara VeDepo, ran into a Mount Vernon freshman that was hungry to prove herself inside the circle during the senior night meet for Solon. VeDepo worked methodically through the first period. She landed a takedown early in the period and was on the fringe of a pin through the final 30 seconds. The whistle saved the struggling Mustang, Kate Martin, and gave her a chance to breathe before round two.
After a scare in the second period, VeDepo tried to put away Martin to start the third period by cradling Martin’s head and legs to achieve a takedown and build a comfortable lead on the mat. But the young freshman was not ready to give up just yet. Martin gained control of VeDepo’s arms late in the mat and flipped her for a reversal and an eventual near fall. The Mustang bench almost flowing into the circle, sensing a huge comeback, upset win. Up only one point in the final seconds, VeDepo squirmed around keeping her back off the floor and saving her one-point win.
“Kara did a great job gutting it out,” said Lady Spartan head coach Jacob Munson, “she did a good job holding Kate off in her late charge and got a big win for us.” The hard-fought battle that put the Lady Spartans on the ropes was a summary of the dual up to the very end. Solon had to earn every point they could but were unable to get the upset victory at home. Mount Vernon won 49-27, with five wins coming from falls. McKenna Rogers battled Kiersten Swart in a heavily anticipated match between returning placers at the state meet. Rogers got on the board first with a takedown late in the first period and a reversal by snatching Swart’s ankles to stay in control. However, the final minute belonged to Swart. The Mustang turned a takedown into a pin to end the match with only nine seconds left in the final period.
“We get to see Kiersten again, so we’ve got some more opportunities,” said Munson, “I thought McKenna’s effort and, for the most part, execution was pretty good. Sometimes we’re going to win those battles and sometimes we don’t. Tonight, we came up just short.” Solon had an early lead in the dual, up 18-6 after the first four matches. However, the Lady Spartan run ended, and the Mustangs took over winning six straight – two by forfeit – to secure a commanding lead.
Tess Richards, Alannah Mahoney, and Miller all provided a fall for the Lady Spartans. All three ended their match in the first period and energized the Solon bench and fans.
“It’s a little different vibe than the boys side as far as energy and volume,” said Munson, “we just embrace that as a program.”
The five seniors – Olivia Bonnema, Makayla Keller, Lucy Miller, Ella Sheeley, and VeDepo – were celebrated before the meet as part of the senior night celebrations.
“They’ve really led our program this year. The positive culture and work ethic that they have helped lead and establish in our room has been second to none in our program,” said Munson, “We just really want to thank them for what they’ve contributed to our program and hopefully they’ve got a little more wrestling to do the next few weeks.”