The Emmaus wrestling team found itself trailing Parkland early on last week as the Trojans were victorious in three of the first four, but that changed rather quickly and in a big way over the final 10 matches.

The Green Hornets earned two consecutive pins to take the lead and won eight of the last 10 bouts to defeat the Trojans 48-19 last Wednesday night in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference action at Parkland High School.

The win was the second straight for Emmaus, which took down Pocono Mountain East back on December 13.

Parkland received a decision and a major decision in the opening two bouts, 145 and 152, and then picked up a pin in the fourth bout (170) after Jake Gross got Emmaus on the board with a pin at 160. The Green Hornets were trailing 13-6 before the tides changed at 182.

Last year’s District 11 runner-up Caden Wright earned a pin, followed by another fall at 195 by Trevor Gitski to put Emmaus ahead 18-13 where it would stay for good.

“Caden’s our leader at 182,” said second-year head coach Thad Smith. “He does what we expect him to do, so he went out and did his thing. At 195, that was Trevor’s first win on varsity, so that was huge for him and for us tonight. Just for his confidence that’s big.”

The Green Hornets found their momentum and rode it to victory.

Cody Lafaver recorded a 6-2 decision at 220 before a run of three straight pins at 285, 106 and 113 by James Santichen, Marco Albanese and Geovanni Lainez respectively, put this one away.

The teams split the final two bouts as the Trojans tallied decisions at both 120 and 132, and Emmaus had a pin by Evan Camire at 126 and a close 4-3 decision by Kordell Waiters at 138.

Smith has seen a lot of growth and improvement since taking over the reigns last year.

“Our work ethic is much better this year in year two for me,” Smith said. “I have great support and assistant coaches that come in every day and push these kids. The kids come in every day to wrestle and give it their best, and you can’t ask for much more as a young coach.”

Emmaus will next compete after Christmas at the Hurricane Invitational at Liberty High School this weekend.