Wrestling

Norwich 39, Johnson City 38

NORWICH – Norwich freshman Landon Cummings was fighting off his back in the early part of the second period. Down 7-0 to Johnson City’s Cory McCormick, Cummings not only survived, he thrived.

Cummings reversed McCormick to his back, and earned the pin at 103 pounds in 3:33. That monumental turnaround spurred the Tornado, and Frank Garcia clinched the one-point win at 125 pounds with a decision victory over the Wildcats’ Conner Halladay.

It was the first dual meet win for Norwich over Johnson City since the 1993-1994 season when NHS head coach Joe Downey was in seventh grade. “We needed to believe in ourselves, and if they do, it’ll be a very successful year,” Downey said, now in his second year as head coach of his alma mater. “If we keep working hard, we’ll accomplish our goals.”

It was a big day for the Cummings brothers. Landon’s older brother Tanner put Norwich on the board with a pin of Joe Hamdon in 2:40 in the 135-pound matchup. Cameron Turner (152) scored two first-period takedowns, and eked out a 5-4 win over Dom Taylor.

Morgan Crawford (160) rolled through a headlock attempt by Greg Kleinsmith to get a takedown and give Norwich an 8-3 win. “That was probably the best match I’ve seen Morgan wrestle,” Downey said. “He stayed composed the whole time, and his shots were great.”